Asylum Access

Since 2016, the group has received over $3 million in grants from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations. ²

Background

Asylum Access was founded in 2005 and is based in Oakland, California. The group primarily works on assisting refugees with gaining legal status to resettle in the countries of Mexico, Malaysia, and Thailand. As of 2024, the group had assisted roughly 157,000 refugees with obtaining legal services to resettle in said countries. ³

Advocacy

U.S. Immigration Laws

In May 2023, Asylum Access reposted a video on X (formerly Twitter) from activist group Democracy Now! praising the end of the U.S. government’s Title 42 program, a COVID-19 pandemic policy that limited migration from Mexico into the United States. The group claimed the end of Title 42 would allow more migrants to enter the United States from Mexico. ⁴

In September 2023, the group’s Facebook page criticized remarks made by New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) at a townhall meeting where he commented on the rise in immigrants being brought into the city and that without extra government support the crisis, “will destroy New York City.” ⁵ The group’s page claimed that “forcibly displaced people are NOT the problem…being unable to provide a response that guarantees refugees’ safety is what could potentially destroy lives.” ⁵ The post further claimed that governments “…must take accountability and accept their shared responsibility in the refugee response system.” ⁵

Also in September 2023, the group’s Facebook page criticized the U.S. government’s 90-day requirement for refugees and immigrants to find work within the country. The group compared the time frame to ones used by other countries, such as Canada’s, while claiming “This 90-day period is insufficient time to adapt to a new home and culture and find a stable job.” ⁶

In October 2023, the group’s Facebook page reposted a New York Times story claiming Venezuelan nationals were being deported by the U.S government. The post criticized the new measure, claiming it, “puts those people who are deported at considerable risk, as many are considered “traitors of the revolution.””  ⁷

In February 2024, the group’s Facebook page made a post criticizing remarks by President Joe Biden who claimed he would “shut down the border” if Congress sent him a bill to do so. The post continued by stating, “We call for a just and humane approach to immigration policies that respects the rights and well-being of #refugees.” ⁸

In June 2024, the group’s Facebook page claimed its support for a new plan by the Biden Administration that would allow undocumented spouses to claim permanent U.S citizenship. The post continued by claiming, “[m]ore comprehensive measures are urgently needed to protect forcibly displaced individuals and address the broader systemic issues within US immigration policies.” ⁹

Climate Change Refugees

In August 2023, Asylum Access’s X (formerly Twitter) profile made a post advocating for resources to be provided for “climate refugees” in order to, “…guarantee their #safety, not used on the activities that keep them exposed to danger such as walls and weapons.” ¹⁰

Leaving X/Twitter

On November 6, 2023, the group’s X (formerly Twitter) profile made a post stating it was leaving the social media site. It claimed the move was due to the platform, “failing to uphold the rights and dignity of all its users.”  ¹¹

Response to October 7, 2023 Attacks

Following the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas against the State of Israel, Asylum Access did not make a comment or statement immediately following the attack. However, by October 19, the group’s Facebook page made post condemning what it claimed was violence against “Palestinian Refugees in Gaza” while referring to the Israel-Hamas war as an “ongoing genocide.” ¹²

On October 20 2023, the group announced it was taking part in a “Global General Strike” while shutting down operations for a full day. The message posted included “#StopTheGenocide” while the group called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War. ¹³

By November 2023, the group was one of several groups and organizations that had signed an open letter written by “Funders for a Ceasefire Now” that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.  ¹⁴

On November 29, 2023, the group participated in the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.” A post made online by the group claimed “Violence against forcibly displaced communities is violence against humanity. Today, we call for a long-standing #CeaseFireNow and long-term solutions for the Palestinian people.”  ¹⁵

On May 14, 2024, the group made an online post commenting on the anniversary of “Nakba Day” on May 15, while claiming, “we strongly condemn the atrocities unfolding in Gaza and we reiterate our call for an end to the violence and oppression that continue to mark the lives of the Palestinian people. We demand an immediate ceasefire and the protection of innocent civilians.” ¹ The post also included several images with one containing the words “Stop Genocide” while several others have translated versions of the same message. ¹

On September 25 2024, the group criticized the State of Israel’s military operations into Lebanon, claiming it “strongly condemn[s] these acts of violence, and urge the international community to act swiftly, ensuring immediate support for those displaced. ¹⁶

Financials

Since 2016, George Soros’s Open Society Foundations has provided a series of grants to Asylum Access worth roughly $3,084,184 combined. ² The group received $400,000 from the MacArthur Foundation in 2014. ¹⁷

According to Asylum Access’s 2023 tax returns, the group reported $10,178,752 in revenue along with $9,826,954 in expenses and $16,615,645 in assets. ¹⁸

Leadership

Asylum Access’s co-interim CEOs are Lisa D’Annunzio and Rouba Anka.  ¹⁹

The co-chairs of the board are Leah Zamore and Michael Teshima. ¹⁹