Advocacy

You have a voice. Let it be heard.

At CRIS, we believe that every person has a voice and the power to use it for good. Whether you are a former refugee, immigrant, or an ally, we encourage you to speak up for the continued care and support of displaced people globally, nationally, and locally in Central Ohio. There are many ways to do this; explore the options below to find out how you can play a part in advocacy for refugees and immigrants.

Join the Advocacy Community

Blaise Balazire is a Community Organizer with Church World Service. He partners closely with CRIS in his work to mobilize volunteer community advocates in Central Ohio and throughout the state. To learn more, connect with Blaise by phone (614-309-2015) or send him an email using the button below.

Upcoming Advocacy Events

Refugees, immigrants, and allies from across Ohio will gather in downtown Columbus on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, for a day of advocacy. CRIS partner and Church World Service Community Organizer Blaise Balazire will be leading this day of advocacy. Register to join in and raise your voice for refugees!

Current Legislation

WISE Act

  • Immigrant survivors of crime face an incredibly difficult choice between living with abuse and risking deportation or separation from their families.

  • From the very first bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) over 25 years ago, Congress created immigration protections, like VAWA self-petitions, U and T visas. Yet in order for survivors to realize these pathways to safety, we must ensure that the need is adequately met and survivors are protected while their applications are pending. The Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act aims to provide greater access to these pathways.

  • Contact Your Congress Member and Ask Them to Co-Sponsor WISE Act

    Sample Email Script for Urging Your Congress Member to Co-Sponsor WISE:

    Dear [Congress Member]

    My name is [NAME] and I am a resident of [CITY/STATE] and I am a voter in Representative [NAME’s] district.

    I am writing to urge you to support The Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act, introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal. WISE will provide critical protections for immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking in our community. Because immigrant survivors face so many barriers to accessing safety and justice, we ask Representative [NAME] to co-sponsor this critical bill.

    As the [TITLE/ ORGANIZATION], WISE is critical and necessary to the communities we serve because [ADD YOUR PERSPECTIVE / ANY STORIES]

    Spread Awareness about the WISE Act on Social Media

    Tag @4ImmSurvivors on Twitter and use the hashtags #ImmigrantSurvivors and #WISEAct on all platforms.

    Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined with AIS co-chairs ASISTA, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Tahirih Justice Center, and Esperanza United to create a video explaining the importance of WISE: https://bit.ly/Support-WISE-Act.

  • https://www.immigrantsurvivors.org/wise

Afghan Adjustment Act

  • Of the 76,000 Afghan evacuees that the United States welcomed following the fall of Kabul, fewer than 10% have secured permanent protections.

  • On July 13, 2023, the Afghan Adjustment Act (S. 2327 and H.R. 4627) was reintroduced with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. If passed, the bill would establish a clear and streamlined path for displaced Afghans to apply for permanent status in the U.S. and expand pathways to protection for Afghans who remain left behind and at risk.

  • Contact Your Two Senators and One Representative

    Church World Service (CWS) provides a streamlined way for you to let your senators and representative know that you stand with our new Afghan neighbors. Fill out the brief form here.

    Amplify on Social Media

    See below for sample social media posts and click here for sample graphics.

    Our nation has a moral responsibility to protect and support at-risk Afghans. It’s long past time for Congress to pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct. #PasstheAAA

    Our Afghan allies have been waiting for far too long for the permanence and stability that they deserve. Congress must pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct NOW. #PasstheAAA

    Of the 76,000 Afghan evacuees that the United States welcomed following the fall of Kabul, fewer than 10% have secured permanent protections. Congress, we MUST pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct. #PasstheAAA

    We must not turn our backs on our Afghan neighbors. Congress reintroduced the #AfghanAdjustmentAct, and now they must pass it. #PasstheAAA

  • https://cwsglobal.org/action-alerts/take-action-urge-congress-to-pass-the-afghan-adjustment-act-to-protect-afghans-at-risk/

Crime Victims Fund (CVF) Stabilization Act

  • Ohio has seen a 77% reduction in VOCA funding in the last six years. The prospect of an additional $20 million reduction from 2023 to 2024 would not only jeopardize essential programs but would also undermine the fabric of support upon which our communities depend.

  • The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act has been officially introduced in the House.

  • Contact your local representative and encourage them to support the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) Stabilization Act.

Support local refugee and immigrant-owned businesses

Refugee-owned businesses contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and hiring workers who also contribute to the economy by producing goods and services. This constitutes their direct impact. Based on the weighted results of the refugee household survey, it is estimated that there are 873 refugee-owned businesses in the Columbus MSA employing 3,960 workers.

Additional Resources