Rights Advocacy
From federal courtrooms to the halls of Congress, RAICES leads the fight for systemic immigration reform and immigrant rights. We recognize the power of collective action in dismantling unjust policies and building a more equitable legal landscape for all. Our advocacy programming is dedicated to ensuring that the voices of the communities we represent are heard at the highest levels of government.
We maintain unwavering accountability to the people and families we serve. Our mission transcends political administrations; we are steadfast in our commitment to defend, empower, and advocate for the fundamental human and legal rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Through strategic policy influence and community mobilization, we challenge the status quo to protect those in pursuit of safety.
Join us in our vision for a country where every person has the legal right to seek asylum and the opportunity to call this country home with dignity. Together, we are building a movement that prioritizes humanitarian aid and due process over exclusion and incarceration.
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Asylum Access Services
Operating as a high-intensity "Emergency Room" for the legal system, RAICES defends the right to seek asylum for individuals in U.S. custody. As the only aid and advocacy provider with a consistent weekly presence at Dilley—the nation's only active family detention center—we specialize in Detained Family Defense. Our team provides trauma-informed screenings, legal education, and emergency representation for families facing removal.
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Impact Litigation
Through strategic impact litigation, RAICES obtains relief and restitution for individuals subjected to unlawful harm while in U.S. government custody. We are dedicated to upholding the right to due process and implementing humane protections for asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.
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Narrative Change
We believe the law is downstream from culture. Storytelling — or uplifting the voices of those who are most impacted by our immigration system — can move the hearts and minds of the American public in support of urgent action to fix our nation’s broken immigration system.