CHIRLA

CHIRLA is California's largest immigrant rights organisation. Founded in 1986 by activists responding to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, it builds power among immigrant communities through organising, leadership development, policy advocacy and direct immigration legal services, work whose influence extends nationally. The organisation has operated for four decades, with roots in the Sanctuary movement.

Its programme of work covers four main areas: comprehensive immigration legal services, including removal defence and deportation representation; legal assistance with DACA renewal applications; workers' rights protections and advocacy for immigrant employees; and community organising and leadership development aimed at securing full human, civil and labour rights for immigrants. Services and organising are delivered across California, with national impact claimed for its policy and advocacy work.

CHIRLA describes itself as guided by love, vision and the power of community, and holds that immigrant families are agents of social change rather than merely recipients of services. Its stated values include full human rights, freedom of mobility and participatory democracy. The organisation brings together a diverse staff and membership, working across immigrant rights advocacy, legal services, labour rights and civic advocacy.