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Advocate with Us

Raise your voice alongside those seeking safety

Join our advocacy efforts to support just, humane policy

Our advocacy priorities are guided by our mission and informed by immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

We work to bring attention to critical issues and demand actions from our government leaders, legislative offices, and administration officials. We depend on our faith partners, network affiliates, coalitions, and immigrant leaders to support and amplify our voices.

Advocacy Alerts

LIRS Advocacy Alerts

Stay abreast of advocacy priorities that support those we serve. See all of our advocacy opportunities and take action!

LIRS Advocacy Alerts

2023 Policy Priorities

  • Build USRAP

    Build the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program’s (USRAP) capacity.

  • Provide Protection Pathways

    Provide protection pathways for persons displaced by climate disasters.

  • Safeguard Access to Asylum

    Safeguard access to asylum and expand community-based programming.

  • End Private Profiteering

    End private profiteering of immigration detention and surveillance of immigrants.

  • Ensure Safety of Afghans

    Ensure the safety & stability of newly arrived Afghans and enhance protections for Afghans who remain at risk abroad.

  • Protect and Reunify Families

    Secure the protection and welfare of unaccompanied children and increase efforts to reunify and strengthen immigrant families.

  • Strengthen Economic Integration

    Strengthen the economic integration of immigrants and refugees.

  • Fortify Access to Citizenship

    Fortify and broaden pathways of protection and access to citizenship for immigrants and refugees.

  • Provide Mental Healthcare

    Build capacity to provide mental health services for all immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers.

  • Bridge the Policy Gap

    Support state and local engagement and bridge the gap between state- and federal-level policy.

Take Action

  • Advocacy · Empowering Refugees

    October 27, 2023

    LIRS Delivers Powerful Testimony at Congressional Hearing

    LIRS President Krish O'Mara Vignarajah spoke at a Congressional Hearing on refugee resettlement and immigration pathways.

    Read More
  • Advocacy · Immigration and Asylum

    September 24, 2023

    DHS Extends and Redesignates TPS for Afghanistan

    LIRS commends The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for announcing a redesignation and extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan for 18 months.

    Read More
  • Advocacy · Family Reunification

    March 26, 2019

    One Year Later…Families Are STILL Being Separated

    Nearly one year ago, on April 6, the Administration rolled out their zero-tolerance policy, which codified the practice of family separation.

    Read More
  • Press Release · Immigration and Asylum

    November 29, 2023

    LIRS Opposes Congressional Efforts to End Asylum Protections in Budget Negotiations

    As a bipartisan group of Senators continue negotiations on President Biden’s $106 billion funding request, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service urges lawmakers to safeguard critical asylum protections

    Read More
  • Press Release · Empowering Refugees

    November 20, 2023

    Overcoming Poverty and Raising Wages: “New American Cities” Workforce Development Program

    LIRS and Yoga Alliance will establish a pilot program that will incorporate yoga to help refugees and immigrants heal from the emotional trauma they experienced on their journeys to the United States.

    Read More
  • News · Immigration and Asylum

    November 10, 2023

    Unsung Heroes: Immigrants in the U.S. Military

    An estimated 700,000 foreign-born veterans call this country home, while approximately 45,000 immigrants are currently defending our freedoms as members of the armed forces.

    Read More

You can change lives.

Explore the many ways to support LIRS.

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Explore the many ways to support LIRS.

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