Non-profit

America’s Voice

Website:

americasvoice.org/

Location:

Washington, DC

Tax ID:

20-0748404

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $1,051,891
Expenses: $1,135,956
Assets: $2,153,033

Type:

Immigration activist Group

Formation:

2004 (as Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform)

2008 (as America’s Voice)

Executive Director:

Vanessa Cardenas

Budget (2023):

Revenue: $301,220

Expenses: $929,320

Assets: $2,267,531 49

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America’s Voice is an immigration activist organization that advocates for citizenship for illegal immigrants residing in the United States and supports the issuance of state-issued drivers licenses to illegal immigrants 1 and an expansion of temporary protected status (TPS) for some migrants living in the United States. 2

America’s Voice has called for the abolition of Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) 3 and praised the Biden administration for extending Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) access to the so-called DREAMERs, illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children. 4

America’s Voice has called second Trump administration prospective Deputy Chief of Staff for policy Stephen Miller a “white nationalist” and “hatemonger,” 5 attacked prospective “Border Czar” Tom Homan, 6 and claimed that the 2024 presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump was a “fascist campaign.” 7

 

History and Background

America’s Voice can trace its formation to a group known as the New American Opportunity Campaign which operated from 2004 to 2007 and was formally known as the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CCIR). 8

CCIR led a coalition of center-left labor unions, think tanks, litigation groups, and immigration activists to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform to the U.S. Congress and the George W. Bush administration. CCIR’s original ten members included the Center for Community Change, the National Immigration Forum, the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and one of the unions that later formed UNITE HERE, an AFL-CIO affiliate. 9 3

The Bermuda-based Atlantic Philanthropies heavily funded CCIR, including giving $3,000,000 in seed funding and $10,000,000 between 2004 and 2007. This funding represented 96 percent of CCIR’s $10,400,000 in revenue during that period. 10 11

In 2008, CCIR was legally converted into America’s Voice and its remaining $1,000,000 in assets were transferred to America’s Voice. 12 America’s Voice’s 501(c)(3) affiliate, America’s Voice Education Fund, also was created strictly to fundraise from left-of-center foundations that “were unable or uneasy about making grants to a 501(c)(4) organization. 3 13 14 15

America’s Voice has also played a major role in CCIR’s successor organization, Reform Immigration for America. 3

Leadership

Vanessa Cardenas has been the executive director of America’s Voice since October 2022. Prior to joining America’s Voice, she worked as a senior advisor for the left-of-center League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and as a national coalitions director for the 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden.  She has also worked at pro-abortion EMILY’s List, the World Wildlife Fund, the Center for American Progress, and the National Immigration Forum. 16 17

Gina Gerson is the operations director of America’s Voice. She is also the operations director of the affiliated 501(c)(3) America’s Voice Education Fund. 18

Members of America’s Voice leadership have previously worked at Voto Latino, 19 the National Immigration Forum, the office of U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), 20 and the New Leaders Council. 21 At least one member of America’s Voice staff has come to the United States as an illegal immigrant and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections from deportation from the Obama administration. 22 23

Activities and Activism

America’s Voice is an immigration activist organization that advocates for citizenship for illegal immigrants residing in the United States, an expansion of legal immigration pathways, and accountability for employers who the group claims “violate the law and exploit workers.” 2

America’s Voice also supports a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States, supports the issuance of state-issued drivers licenses and in-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants, and has said that using the term “illegal” to refer to illegal immigrants is “legally inaccurate.” 1

The organization supports legal status for the so-called DREAMers, illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children, 24 and has supported the extension of temporary protected status (TPS) for nationals from Haiti, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and El Salvador living in the United States. 25 26

America’s Voice also has called Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agency in charge of enforcing U.S. immigration laws, a “destructive deportation force” and called for the U.S. Congress to “abolish” the agency. 3 The group has praised the Biden administration for extending Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) access to DREAMERs. 4

America’s Voice publishes a daily immigration newsletter, 27 28 tracks state-level efforts to enforce federal immigration law, 29 publishes weekly summaries of immigration-related policy developments, 30 and runs the “Reclaiming Our Story” campaign, which attempts to show stories of immigrants across the country to support expanded immigration to the U.S. 31 The organization also operates the Urge La Reforma Migratoria program, a Spanish-language website that features illegal immigrants calling for a pathway to legal status for illegal immigrants in the United States. 32

In May 2024, America’s Voice joined with Voto Latino, UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza) Action Fund, Mi Familia Vota, and Latino Victory Project to oppose what the group considered to be former President Donald Trump’s threat to “Latinos and the country.” 33 In 2019, America’s Voice gave Tides Advocacy a grant of $10,000 to fund Poder Latinx. 34

As of December 2024, America’s Voice is in partnership with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit America’s Voice Education Fund. 35

Criticism of the First Trump Administration

America’s Voice was critical of the first Trump administration. Former America’s Voice executive director Frank Sharry called the first Trump administration a “lawless administration” in 2018. 36 America’s Voice also made claims that the first Trump administration would “gut the Constitution” and “gut the 14th amendment” on immigration policy. 37

On April 6, 2019, the organization signed a letter condemning the immigration policy of the Trump administration and urging American CEOs not to employ anyone involved with the administration’s policies. It accused Trump administration officials of being directly guilty for physical abuse, sexual assault, and even the death of illegal immigrant children. 38

America’s Voice launched the “Trump Hate Map” in June 2015. This interactive map documented alleged “hate crimes” committed by supporters of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. As of December 2024, the website remains active. 39 Also in 2015, America’s Voice claimed that the “Trump Effect” would see the then-Trump campaign’s “chickens [come home to roost]” regarding immigration policy. 40

Criticism of the Second Trump Administration

During the 2024 election cycle, America’s Voice was critical of the 2024 presidential campaign of former President Donald Trump. The organization claimed that “vilifying immigrants has been the Republican Party’s go-to political strategy”; 41 said the Trump campaign is a “fascist campaign” 7 with a “fascist agenda” 42 that “doubled down hard on nativism”; 43 and claimed that the Trump campaign was running a “campaign to sell the horrors of mass deportation.” 44

On November 13, 2024, America’s Voice hosted a press conference with immigration expansionist organizations United We Dream Action, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the Fair Immigration Reform Movement, the Vera Institute of Justice, the National Partnership for New Americans, Make the Road Action Pennsylvania, Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), the National Immigration Law Center, the Fairness to Freedom Campaign, and others to oppose what it called the incoming second Trump administration’s “anti-immigrant agenda.” 45

Following the second election of President Trump, America’s Voice has attacked the incoming second Trump administration for its expected approach to immigration policy. 37 The organization has attacked second Trump administration deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller as a “white nationalist” and “hatemonger,” 5 attacked announced “Border Czar” Tom Homan, 6 and opposed the nomination of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) to the role of Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, claiming she would be an “agent of mass deportation.” 46

Criticism of Foundation of the Carolinas

In August 2019, America’s Voice executive director Frank Sharry wrote an open letter to the Foundation for the Carolinas, a corporate-sponsored donor advised fund with board members from Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Duke Energy, and McKinsey and Company. This letter criticized the foundation for sending money to organizations that supported immigration restriction advocacy groups. 47 In response, foundation president Michael Marsicano told Politico that while the Foundation of the Carolinas follows the wishes of its donors, it also provides some discretionary funds to pro-immigration groups. 48

Funding

America’s Voice is funded by individual contributions and grants. Individual contributions to the organization are routed through Democratic-affiliated pass-through organization ActBlue Civics. 2

In 2023, America’s Voice reported revenue of $301,320 and expenses of $929,320. The organization reported revenue of $1,051,891 and expenses of $1,135,956 in 2022. 49

In 2022 America’s Voice received $300,000 from George Soros’s Open Society Policy Center and $200,000 from the left-of-center NEO Philanthropy. 34

References

  1. “Immigration Reform FAQ/Frequently Asked Questions.” America’s Voice. Updated October 2019. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/why-dont-immigrants-come-here-legally-and-other-frequent-questions-about-immigration-reform/
  2. “Donate.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/av-2021?refcode=website.
  3. Ludwig, Hayden. “Immigration Deception: Silent War on America’s Borders.” Capital Research Center. September 29, 2021. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://capitalresearch.org/article/immigration-deception-part-3/.
  4. “America’s Voice Reacts to Announcement Securing ACA Eligibility for DACA Recipients.” America’s Voice. May 3, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/americas-voice-reacts-to-announcement-securing-aca-eligibility-for-daca-recipients/.
  5. “The Billionaire and the Hatemonger.” America’s Voice. November 1, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/the-billionaire-and-the-hatemonger/.
  6. Ortiz, Gabe. “Agents of Mass Deportation: Who is Border Czar Thomas Homan?” America’s Voice. November 13, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/agents-of-mass-deportation-who-is-border-czar-thomas-homan/.
  7. Gabe Ortiz and Zachary Mueller. “He’s Running a Fascist Campaign.” America’s Voice. October 18, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/hes-running-a-fascist-campaign/.
  8. Ludwig, Hayden. “Immigration Deception: A Page from the Left’s Astroturf Activism Playbook (full series).” Capital Research Center. Published September 29, 2021. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://capitalresearch.org/article/immigration-deception-part-3/.
  9. “Coordinating Committee.” CCIR (archived page). Archived February 10, 2006. Accessed June 12, 2020. Archived URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20060210070352/http://www.cirnow.org/content/en/about_naoc.htm.
  10. “Grant Database: Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.” Atlantic Philanthropies. Accessed June 12, 2020. https://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/grantees/coalition-for-comprehensive-immigration-reform.
  11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990) (multiple). Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform/America’s Voice. 2004-2007. Part I. Line 12 (total revenues).
  12. “Advocacy, Politics & Philanthropy: A Reflection on a Decade of Immigration Reform Advocacy, 2004-2014.” Innovation Network. May 2015. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/advocacy-politics-and-philanthropy-report.pdf.
  13. Johanna Morariu, Katherine Athanasiades, and Veena Pankaj. “Advocacy, Politics & Philanthropy: A Reflection on a Decade of Immigration Reform Advocacy.” Atlantic Philanthropies. May 2015. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2020/06/Atlantic-Philanthropies-2015-Immigration-Funders-report.pdf.
  14. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform/America’s Voice. 2008.
  15. “Advocacy, Politics & Philanthropy.” Atlantic Philanthropies. 2015. Accessed June 12, 2020. Archived: https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2020/06/Atlantic-Philanthropies-2015-Immigration-Funders-report.pdf
  16. “Experience.” Vanessa Cardenas LinkedIn Profile. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-cardenas-031450a3/details/experience/.
  17. “Vanessa Cardenas.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/vanessa-cardenas/.
  18. “Gina Gerson.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/gina-gerson/.
  19. “Mario Carrillo.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/mario-carrillo/.
  20. “Douglas Rivlin.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/douglas-rivlin/.
  21. “Ruth Delgado.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/ruth-delgado/.
  22. “Yuna Oh.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/staff/yuna-oh/.
  23. “#MyImmigrationStory – Yuna.” AmericasVoiceTV. Uploaded July 6, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv2DjPP9K4w&t=53s.
  24. Ortiz, Gabe. “‘This Is Our Home’: Dreamers and Advocates Testify at Senate Hearing, Urge Congress to Act to Permanent Protections.” America’s Voice. May 9, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/this-is-our-home-dreamers-and-advocates-testify-at-senate-hearing-urge-congress-to-act-to-permanent-protections/.
  25. “Three Latino Senators Call for Biden Administration to Step Up for Dreamers and TPS Holders with Remaining Weeks in Office.” America’s Voice. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/three-latino-senators-call-for-biden-administration-to-step-up-for-dreamers-and-tps-holders-with-remaining-weeks-in-office/.
  26. “Extension and Redesignation of TPS for Haiti “Advances American Interests and Values”.” America’s Voice. June 28, 2024. Accessed December 5, 0224. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/extension-and-redesignation-of-tps-for-haiti-advances-american-interests-and-values/.
  27. “Immigration Reform news December 4, 2024 / Que Pasa En Immigracion.” America’s Voice. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/immigration-reform-news-december-4-2024/.
  28. “X Post.” America’s Voice X Post. Posted December 5, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://x.com/AmericasVoice/status/1864679860674732385.
  29. “State Initiatives.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/tag/state-initiatives/.
  30. “Listicle #70: Your Quick Summary Of the Week From America’s Voice.” America’s Voice. December 6, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/listicle-70-your-quick-summary-of-the-week-from-americas-voice/. Accessed December 6, 0224.
  31. Ortiz, Gabe. “We’re Defending Immigrants And Reclaiming The Real Story On Immigration – And Here’s How You Can Help Too.” America’s Voice. October 17, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/were-defending-immigrants-and-reclaiming-the-real-story-on-immigration-and-heres-how-you-can-help-too/.
  32. “Urge La Reforma Migratoria.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/tag/urge-la-reforma-migratoria/.
  33. “Voto Latino, UnidosUS Action Fund, Mi Familia Vota, Latino Victory Project, and America’s Voice Stand United Against Trump’s Threat to Latinos and the Country.” America’s Voice. May 3, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/voto-latino-unidosus-action-fund-mi-familia-vota-latino-victory-project-and-americas-voice-stand-united-against-trumps-threat-to-latinos-and-the-country/.
  34. “America’s Voice (AV).” Cause IQ. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/americas-voice,200748404/.
  35. “Home.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/.
  36. Stanage, Niall. “The Memo: Trump’s immigration hawks grapple with new court blow.” The Hill. November 21, 2018. Accessed December 5, 0224. https://thehill.com/homenews/the-memo/417754-the-memo-trumps-immigration-hawks-grapple-with-new-court-blow/.
  37. “Trump Team Signals to Gut the Constitution and Blow Past Legal Guardrails in Pursuit of Mass Deportations.” America’s Voice Press Release. November 19, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/trump-team-signals-to-gut-the-constitution-and-blow-past-legal-guardrails-in-pursuit-of-mass-deportations/.
  38.  “An Open Letter to America’s CEOs.” Restore Public Trust. April 6, 2019. https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/04/Restore-Public-Trust-Open-Letter-Asylum-04.2019.pdf.
  39. “Trump Hate Map.” America’s Voice. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/trumphatemap/.
  40. “The Trump Effect On the GOP Future.” America’s Voice. July 24, 2015. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/the-trump-effect-on-the-gop-future/.
  41. “Vilifying Immigrants Has Been the GOP’s Go-To Political Strategy. But It’s an Electoral Loser. We Have The Receipts.” America’s Voice. September 25, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/vilifying-immigrants-has-been-the-gops-go-to-political-strategy-but-its-an-electoral-loser-we-have-the-receipts/.
  42. “The Xenophobic Conspiracy Holding Up the Three-Legged Stool of 21st-Century American Fascism.” America’s Voice. November 4, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/the-xenophobic-conspiracy-holding-up-the-three-legged-stool-of-21st-century-american-fascism/.
  43. “The GOP Doubled Down Hard on Nativism.” America’s Voice. October 31, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/the-gop-doubled-down-hard-on-nativism/.
  44. Mueller, Zachary. “The American Right’s Campaign to Sell the Horrors of Mass Deportation.” America’s Voice. November 18, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/the-american-rights-campaign-to-sell-the-horrors-of-mass-deportation/.
  45. “We Will Not Back Down: Immigration & Labor Rights Leaders Host Virtual Press Call to Discuss Critical Road Ahead Under Trump Administration.” Zoom. Press Conference Recording. November 13, 2024. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/f1WMS4IFIITQ8tBaiPoREdy8Qvl0Z-JvmiNo-L5CBUVX7z47Eu56KyWD8crnHNu3.mZCICJd9bc7_Fqy9
  46.  Ortiz, Gabe. “Agents of Mass Deportation: Who is DHS Secretary Nominee Kristi Noem?” America’s Voice. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2024. https://americasvoice.org/blog/agents-of-mass-deportation-who-is-dhs-secretary-nominee-kristi-noem/.
  47. Sharry, Frank. America’s Voice. 20 August, 2019. https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000016c-afcb-d6fb-a96e-ffcf5e8a0001.
  48. Hesson, Ted, and Daniel Lippman. “Immigration Advocates Press to Cut off Charitable Funds for Anti-Immigration Groups.” POLITICO, August 20, 2019. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/20/immigration-advocates-charity-funds-1673354.
  49. “America’s Voice.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2023. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/200748404/202422899349301527/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: February 1, 2006

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Dec Form 990 $1,051,891 $1,135,956 $2,153,033 $171,325 N $1,051,891 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2021 Dec Form 990 $3,227,004 $2,344,086 $2,630,366 $564,593 N $3,225,633 $0 $268 $0 PDF
    2020 Dec Form 990 $1,535,015 $1,783,835 $1,579,271 $396,416 N $1,535,015 $0 $0 $0
    2019 Dec Form 990 $1,442,845 $1,478,771 $1,465,472 $33,797 N $1,442,483 $0 $362 $110,185
    2018 Dec Form 990 $3,188,064 $2,278,522 $1,509,800 $42,199 N $3,188,000 $0 $64 $141,268 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,658,468 $1,471,606 $1,131,924 $573,865 N $1,657,871 $0 $97 $145,154 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,659,775 $2,824,965 $609,485 $238,288 N $1,086,802 $571,777 $96 $169,962 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $1,367,746 $787,582 $1,688,513 $152,126 N $1,352,626 $0 $94 $147,932 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,976,918 $1,491,425 $1,271,776 $315,553 N $1,975,375 $0 $82 $144,315 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $3,509,792 $3,542,601 $964,922 $494,192 N $3,506,507 $0 $89 $75,261 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,164,997 $1,261,321 $752,962 $249,423 N $1,163,504 $0 $0 $59,826 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $604,142 $439,332 $676,465 $76,602 N $603,870 $0 $272 $57,022 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    America’s Voice

    1441 L St NW, Floor 12
    Washington, DC