National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) is a left-of-center immigration activist organization that supports legal status for all illegal immigrants in the United States. 1 2
NNIRR was founded in 1986 to support the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which provided legal status for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States. 3 2 As of January 2022, NNIRR’s policy positions include ending “Title 42” 4 health codes used to stop border crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the border, elimination of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, elimination of immigration detention centers, an end to all deportations, 5 and the elimination of the longstanding 60-vote threshold to close debate in the U.S. Senate, colloquially known as the “filibuster.” 6
NNIRR has a stated commitment to the left-wing concept of “intersectional solidarity” 7 and works to build alliances with other left-of-center organizations as a part of a global movement for critical race theory-inspired concepts including “social and economic justice.” 8
NNIRR claimed that Trump administration immigration enforcement advanced a “white supremacist agenda,” 9 claimed Trump “stacked the courts with rabid and racist Republican judges,” 10 and said that “embedded racism lies at the heart of our law enforcement system, including the Border Patrol.” 11 12
History and Leadership
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) was founded in 1986 3 to support of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which provided legal status for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States. 2
Immigration activists Alma Maquitico and Jennifer Ferrigno are co-directors of NNIRR. 13 NNIRR’s board of directors includes the former executive director of the left-of-center Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), former executive director of Filipino Advocates for Justice, the director of the American Friends Service Committee’s U.S./Mexico Border Program, a former member of the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS), and others. 14
Activities and Funding
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) is a left-of-center immigration activist organization that supports legal status for all illegal immigrants in the United States. 1 2
NNIRR’s immigration policy positions include support for a pathway to citizenship for all illegal immigrants currently in the United States including the so-called “DREAMers,” illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, the end of “Title 42” 15 health codes used to stop border crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border during the coronavirus pandemic, elimination of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, elimination of immigration detention centers, and an end to all deportations. 5
In 2022, NNIRR joined 60 other left-of-center organizations to sign the left-of-center Sixteen Thirty Project-funded Fix Our Senate’s letter urging Senate Democrats change United States Senate procedure to make it easier for Democrats to remove the longstanding 60-vote threshold to close debate, colloquially known as the “filibuster.” 16
In 2021, NNIRR sent a letter to President Joe Biden which called for a halt to immigration deterrence and containment and alleged that Border Patrol discriminates against black migrants and refugees. The letter also advocated for a halt to deportations of and supported granting immediate humanitarian parole to Haitian asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border 17 and reviewing immigration deterrence and containment agreements in place with Central American Countries. 17
NNIRR has said that President Donald Trump “stacked the courts with rabid and racist Republican judges” 10 and said Trump-era immigration enforcement policies gave rise to “xenophobia, racism, violence, and impunity.” 7 The organization also claimed that Trump administration immigration enforcement was part of a “white supremacist agenda.” 9 The organization has also said that “embedded racism lies at the heart of our law enforcement system including the Border Patrol.” 11 12
NNIRR also sent a letter to President Barack Obama calling for an end of immigration raids, detention, and deportations. 3
NNIRR created and operates the Building a Race and Immigration Dialogue in the Global Economy (BRIDGE) curriculum, which focuses on critical race theory-inspired concepts such as “institutionalized racism,” liberation struggles, and social movements. 18 The curriculum’s books and education dialogue series focuses on the history of U.S. border policy, the fight for left-wing critical race theory-inspired “racial justice” and legislative action, and other topics. 3
NNIRR also founded HURRICANE, the Human Rights Immigrant Community Network, 3 and operates the Just Borders initiative, which promotes the perceived dangers of increased immigration enforcement, expansion of a border wall, and detention of immigrants at the border. 19 The Just Borders Initiative opposes attacks on “sanctuary cities,” areas where federal immigration laws are not enforced. 19
Work with Immigration Coalitions
NNIRR works to build alliances with other left-of-center organizations as a part of a global movement for critical race theory-inspired concepts including “social and economic justice.” 8 The organization also has a stated commitment to the left-wing concept of “intersectional solidarity.” 7
For example, NNIRR co-sponsored a petition hosted on the left-of-center Action Network site with the left-progressive Daily Kos, Coalition on Human Needs, Families for Freedom, Norcal Resist, the National Education Association-funded Parents Together Action, UndocuBlack Network, United We Dream, and others calling for an end to deportation, the elimination of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, and legal status for so-called “DREAMers,” illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children. 20
NNIRR is a partner of the left-of-center Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign 21 and a founding member of the Global Coalition on Migration and the Women in Migration Network. NNIRR also helped develop the United Nations Global Compact for Migration 3 and the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner’s Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders. 3
Funding
National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) reported $142,912 of revenue and $137,585 of expenses in 2019. 22 In 2018, NNIRR reported revenue of $159,377 and expenses of $139,222. 23
NNIRR received grants of $25,000 from the left-of-center Ben & Jerry’s Foundation in 2017; 24 $6,000 from the Common Counsel Foundation in 2016; 25 $150,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in 2013, 26 and $100,000 from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in 2006. 27
References
- “Defend DACA! Legalization for All!” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Posted July 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/programs/u-s-immigration-issues-and-resources/deferred-action-daca-updates-resources/.
- “Tearing Down Walls, Lifting Up Justice for 35 Years.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/our-mission/.
- “Working for rights and justice for more than 35 years…” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/programs/international-migrant-rights-global-justice/ratification-of-the-un-convention-on-the-rights-of-all-migrant-workers-and-members-of-their-families/.
- [1] “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted October 21, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://twitter.com/NNIRRnetwork/status/1453404018982588423.
- “Reconciliation and an inclusive pathway to citizenship! An explainer and opportunity to take action.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. October 15, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/reconciliation-and-an-inclusive-pathway-to-citizenship-an-explainer-and-opportunity-to-take-action/.
- [1] “60 Organizations to Senate Democrats: Filibuster Didn’t Block Debt Limit Extension and Cannot Block Voting Rights Legislation.” Fix Our Senate. January 3, 2022. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://www.fixoursenate.org/press/60-organizations-to-senate-democrats-filibuster-didnt-block-debt-limit-extension-cannot-block-voting-rights-legislation.
- “NNIRR 2022 Report.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. December 2020. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020-Report-and-Appeal.pdf.
- “About Us.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/about-us/.
- “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted December 3, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://twitter.com/NNIRRnetwork/status/1466937500744634368.
- “Twitter.” Tweet. Posted December 15, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://twitter.com/NNIRRnetwork/status/1471269177683939331.
- “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted June 1, 2020. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://twitter.com/NNIRRnetwork/status/1267550044640681986/photo/1.
- “NNIRR demands justice and accountability for police brutality.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. June 1, 2020. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/nnirr-demands-justice-and-accountability-for-police-brutality/.
- “Staff.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/staff/.
- “Board of Directors.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/board-of-directors/.
- “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted October 21, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://twitter.com/NNIRRnetwork/status/1453404018982588423.
- “60 Organizations to Senate Democrats: Filibuster Didn’t Block Debt Limit Extension and Cannot Block Voting Rights Legislation.” Fix Our Senate. January 3, 2022. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://www.fixoursenate.org/press/60-organizations-to-senate-democrats-filibuster-didnt-block-debt-limit-extension-cannot-block-voting-rights-legislation.
- “An Open Letter to President Biden on the Treatment of Haitian and other Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border. NNIRR. September 22, 2021. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.org/an-open-letter-to-president-biden-on-the-treatment-of-haitian-and-other-migrants-at-the-u-s-mexico-border/.
- “BRIDGE: Building a Race and Immigration Dialogue in the Global Economy.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_Party.
- “Immigrant Community Resistance and Resilience in 2017.” National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. April 2017. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://nnirr.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2017-insert_FV-email.pdf.
- “Sign the petition: Dignity, respect, & nothing less. Dems & Biden must pass permanent immigration protection and relief this year.” Action Network. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-dignity-respect-nothing-less-dems-biden-must-pass-permanent-immigration-protection-and-relief-this-year?source=direct_link&referrer=group-national-network-for-immigrant-and-refugee-rights.
- “PIF Partner Organizations.” Protecting Immigrant Families. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/partner-organizations/.
- “National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.” Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990EZ). 2019. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943065434/202013169349200341/full.
- “National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943065434/201942759349300809/full.
- “Ben & Jerry’s Foundation.” Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF). 2017. Part XV. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/30300865/201842489349100909/full.
- “Common Counsel Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943214166/201743069349302109/full.
- “National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.” MacArthur Foundation. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/national-network-for-immigrant-and-refugee-rights-32596/.
- “BRIDGE Project.” Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Accessed January 9, 2022. https://www.mott.org/grants/national-network-for-immigrant-and-refugee-rights-bridge-project-199700280-02/.