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Non-profit

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

Website:

www.chirla.org/
Location:

LOS ANGELES, CA
Tax ID:

95-4421521
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $12,003,406
Expenses: $13,013,108
Assets: $8,056,646
Formation:

1986
Type:

Left-of-Center Immigrant Rights Group
Executive Director:

Angelica Salas
Board Chair:

Dr. Ester E. Hernandez, Ph.D

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The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, is a left-of-center advocacy group for liberal expansionist immigration policy and immigrants’ rights. 1 2 Based in Los Angeles, CHIRLA helps illegal immigrants and refugees obtain lawful presence in the United States and avert deportation. 34

History

CHILRA was established in 1986 following the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which made it unlawful for United States employers to knowingly hire an illegal immigrant. 5 In 1993, the California nonprofit obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

CHIRLA has provided support to illegal immigrants who reside in the state with criminal records having offenses diminished in severity by the implementation of California’s Proposition 47, which downgraded and resentenced various offenses. 6 Under Proposition 47, felonies of fraud and theft below $950, as well as illicit drug possession, were reclassified as misdemeanors. 7

The group has also been a fierce critic of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Some of its criticism is directed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling for the complete abolition of the agency. 8 In an April 2019 letter addressed to American CEOs, CHIRLA demanded that employers reject any applicant who has previously worked for the Trump administration. 9

Activities

CHILRA provides affordable and pro-bono legal services to individuals and families seeking obtain lawful status in the United States, regardless of their immigration status at the time. Organization attorneys guide immigrants and asylum-seekers through the U.S. immigration process, the required forms of documentation, and assist with any necessary paperwork. 10

CHILRA’s “Warriors for Justice” program sees organization immigration attorneys provide assistance to illegal immigrants facing deportation. CHILRA attorneys defend these individuals during immigration court proceedings, claiming to be working towards an alternative to a deportation and removal order. 11

Funding

During calendar year 2016, CHIRLA collected $6,375,058 in total revenue. 12 While private contributions were its primary source of income, government grants—totaling $2,393,540—accounted for more than a third of the organization’s revenue. 13 The organization’s “Warriors for Justice” program is bankrolled by the Los Angeles Justice Fund (LAJF), a public-private partnership between the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Community Foundation (CCF), and Weingart Foundation. note]”Mayor Garcetti, L.A. City Council Open L.A. Justice Fund to Separated Children and Their Parents.” Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. July 03, 2018. Accessed June 07, 2019. https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-la-city-council-open-la-justice-fund-separated-children-and-their-parents.[/note] 14 15

According to their 2021 990 form, CHILRA reported revenue of $18,424,426, expenses at $15,373,731, and total assets of $24,255,116. 16

Leadership

Angelica Salas is the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), serving in the position since 1999. She also serves on the executive committee for the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) and National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) coalitions. 17

Dr. Ester E. Hernandez, Ph.D is the board chair for CHIRLA as well as the Professor of Anthropology at the California State University, Los Angeles. 18 She took over the position after the previous board chair, Dr. Alma Salazar, passed away in 2020. 19

References

  1. “About Us.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://www.chirla.org/about us.
  2. Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2016.
  3. Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2016.
  4. “L.A. Justice Fund.” California Community Foundation. May 21, 2019. Accessed June 07, 2019. https://www.calfund.org/lajusticefund/.
  5. “About Us.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://www.chirla.org/about us.
  6. “Prop 47 Could Help Clean Your Criminal Record.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://chirla.org/sites/default/files/prop 47 eng_Updated.pdf.
  7. “Prop 47 Could Help Clean Your Criminal Record.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://chirla.org/sites/default/files/prop 47 eng_Updated.pdf.
  8. “Abolish ICE Just the Tip of the ICEberg.” CHIRLA. July 2018. Accessed June 6, 2019. https://chirla.org/sites/default/files/Abolish-ICE-Just-the-Tip-of-the-ICEberg.pdf.
  9. “An Open Letter to America’s CEOs.” Restore Public Trust. April 06, 2019. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://www.influencewatch.org/app/uploads/2019/04/Restore-Public-Trust-Open-Letter-Asylum-04.2019.pdf.
  10.  “Legal Services.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://www.chirla.org/legal-immigration-services.
  11. Chou, Elizabeth. “LA Immigrant Rights Group’s New ‘Warriors for Justice’ Is Offering Legal Help to Angelenos Facing Deportation.” Daily News. July 17, 2018. Accessed June 05, 2019. https://www.dailynews.com/2018/07/16/la-immigrant-rights-group-providing-legal-help-to-angelenos-people-facing-deportation/.
  12. Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2016.
  13. Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2016.
  14. “L.A. Justice Fund Recipients.” LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs. February 28, 2018. Accessed June 6, 2019. http://oia.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/LAJF-02-28-18.pdf.
  15. “L.A. Justice Fund Highlights – Data From 11/27/17 to 12/31/19.” California Community Foundation. Accessed June 6, 2019. https://www.calfund.org/wp-content/uploads/L.A.-Justice-Fund-Impact-Report.pdf.
  16. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. 2021. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954421521/202341359349310519/full
  17. “Team.” Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.chirla.org/who-we-are/our-people/team/
  18. “Board of Directors.” Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.chirla.org/who-we-are/our-people/board-of-directors/
  19. “IN MEMORIAM OF DR. ALMA SALAZAR.” Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Accessed February 2, 2024. https://www.chirla.org/who-we-are/our-people/board-of-directors/dr-alma-salazar/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 1993

    • 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
    2021 Jun Form 990 $12,003,406 $13,013,108 $8,056,646 $4,072,174 N $11,672,964 $320,990 $0 $245,000
    2020 Jun Form 990 $13,448,819 $12,722,786 $6,938,061 $1,943,887 N $12,287,767 $1,180,102 $28 $245,000
    2019 Jun Form 990 $9,653,305 $8,937,705 $5,101,207 $1,088,894 N $9,577,017 $30,039 $12,344 $125,500 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $7,898,901 $7,218,206 $3,967,521 $670,808 Y $7,798,307 $47,416 $1,096 $125,260 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $6,375,058 $3,928,989 $3,412,268 $792,609 N $6,156,388 $127,162 $3,147 $86,803 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $3,279,713 $2,904,496 $741,794 $568,204 N $3,278,678 $0 $1,035 $86,250 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $3,257,035 $3,505,290 $214,925 $303,865 N $3,159,884 $0 $324 $85,962 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $2,538,395 $2,714,904 $456,573 $297,258 N $2,415,860 $0 $769 $82,500 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $2,494,829 $2,233,322 $488,049 $152,225 N $2,405,223 $0 $571 $82,500 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $1,723,740 $1,720,894 $359,531 $285,214 N $1,673,317 $0 $1,469 $78,894 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $1,602,261 $1,583,030 $129,971 $133,502 N $1,590,822 $0 $231 $78,192 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

    2533 W 3RD ST STE 101
    LOS ANGELES, CA 90057-1096