In Laura Washington’s column titled “An anti-immigrant law that has crossed the line” (Op-Ed, Oct. 27), Yolanda Acosta asks, “Who is speaking out for us?”
In Chicago, the answer now includes the newly established Fund for Immigrants and Refugees and an alliance of 10 local and national funders that have stepped forward to create it. The Fund for Immigrants and Refugees joins the ranks of advocates and service providers, community members and journalists who, like Ms. Washington, share a commitment to American justice for all.
Recent changes in welfare as well as immigration policy have profoundly affected immigrant communities. Nine local foundations have joined with George Soros’ Emma Lazarus Fund to create this fund. Over the next two years, it will make at least $2,250,000 in grants to non-profits in the metropolitan area working for and with immigrants and refugees. The funders believe this will improve the well-being of our region by facilitating the integration of the social and economic contributions of immigrants into the fabric of our communities.
As Ms. Washington notes, this is also a time ripe with possibilities among disenfranchised groups for either deepened mistrust or new consciousness about common ground. We hope to strengthen work among immigrant groups and to be able to support cooperative work among various civil rights organizations.
We are clear that, as Ms. Washington says, “In America, there is still plenty of room at the bottom of that melting pot,” and we want to help change that.
