The Movement for Immigrant Justice in 2021: Field Priorities, Strategies, and Needs

While the last four years have been devastating for immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker communities, the transition to a new administration in 2021 will not automatically result in bold new immigration reform or even a comprehensive unwinding of the hundreds of policy attacks perpetrated by the current administration. President-elect Biden has committed to undoing some of the most egregious Trump-era actions, but immigrant rights advocates and service providers have a much broader policy and infrastructure agenda for supporting the community. 

Movement leaders are eager to pivot from crisis response to advancing a welcoming and inclusive vision for the nation. At the same time, they recognize they will be operating in an environment of competing priorities and with an advocate and service provider community increasingly burdened by fatigue. While public health and economic responses to the pandemic will necessarily be top priorities for the new administration, it is critical that policy solutions address the disproportionate impact of these crises on marginalized communities, including immigrants. We must also work to ensure that the perspectives of immigrant communities are included in discussions on issues ranging from racial equity to climate change.

Based on their conversations with movement leaders throughout the country about key priorities, strategies, and needs, GCIR has released its recommendations for how philanthropy can advance immigrant justice at this pivotal moment in our country’s history. Learn how funders can build on investments in recent years to promote success in the first 100 days of the Biden administration and beyond.