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

Regardless of current immigration status, the organization provides affordable and pro-bono legal services to individuals and families seeking obtain lawful status in the United States. Attorneys guide immigrants and asylum-seekers through the U.S. immigration process, the required forms of documentation, and assist with any necessary paperwork. ¹⁰

Through its new “Warriors for Justice” program, CHIRLA’s immigration attorneys help illegal immigrants that are facing deportation. The attorneys defend these individuals during immigration court proceedings, working for 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. Since 2017, the LAJF has donated millions to left-wing groups that help illegal immigrants avoid deportation. ^{14 15 16}

Leadership

Alma Salazar, a high-raking employee of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, is chairperson of the board of directors at CHIRLA. ^{17 18} The organization’s day-to-day operations are overseen Angelica Salas, the executive director of CHIRLA since 1999. ¹⁹

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. “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.
15. “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.
16. “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.
17. “Alma Salazar, Ed.D.” Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Accessed June 08, 2019. https://lachamber.com/chamber-staff/center-for-education-excellence-talent-development/alma-salazar-ed.d./?back=chamber_staff2.
18. “Board of Directors.” CHIRLA. Accessed June 07, 2019. https://www.chirla.org/board-of-directors.
19. “Angelica Salas.” CHIRLA. Accessed May 22, 2019. https://www.chirla.org/content/angelica-salas.