Immigration Justice

From its inception, the U.S. immigration system has been shaped by racist policies and violence, restricting who has access to safety, opportunity, and the privileges of citizenship. As Jews, we know what it means to be refugees and immigrants, seeking safety in new lands. Welcoming the stranger is a sacred responsibility, and we believe that freedom of movement is a fundamental human right. Many of us are immigrants ourselves or descendants of those who fled persecution. Today, we organize to transform an immigration system built on white supremacy and exclusion and to build a world where all people — regardless of immigration status — have what they need to flourish.

Right now, our fight for immigration justice is more critical than ever. The far right has made clear its authoritarian agenda, which includes mass deportations, reinstating travel bans, revoking asylum protections, and expanding the detention and surveillance of immigrants. These are not just policy proposals — they are direct threats to millions of people, including our neighbors, friends, and loved ones.

In this moment, we must double down on our organizing. History has shown that when communities unite and resist, we can block harmful policies and win lasting protections for immigrants. JCUA is committed to ensuring that Chicago and Illinois remain places of refuge, dignity, and safety.

JCUA organizes for immigration justice in coalition with partners across the state. We participate in campaigns led by directly impacted communities to protect and expand immigrant rights at the local and state levels. Alongside our partners in the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), we advocate for policies that uphold the dignity and safety of all immigrants, pushing lawmakers to stand against deportations, detention, and xenophobic policies.

To learn more, email our immigration organizer Becca Lubow (becca@jcua.org) or sign up for updates on our immigration justice work.