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“We believe everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there”—each meeting during Advocacy Week began with this shared value, grounding participants in the urgency and importance of IRAP’s mission and vision.
From February 26-28, over 60 law students from 16 IRAP chapters across the U.S. came together virtually and in-person to advocate for the rights of refugees and other vulnerable immigrants. Over the course of the week, students met with more than 50 Congressional offices, urging Members of Congress to take action against policies that undermine immigrant and refugee protections. As the new administration rapidly dismantles longstanding refugee resettlement programs and attacks the rights and dignity of immigrants, our advocacy efforts were more crucial than ever.
This year, students pressed congressional offices on two primary issues in response to recent policy changes: (1) opposing the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and (2) urging a “No” vote on H.R. 32—the “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities” Act.
On January 20th, President Trump issued an executive order temporarily suspending U.S. refugee resettlement through USRAP. This order effectively halts a program established by the 1980 Refugee Act that has provided displaced people from around the world with the opportunity to seek refuge and rebuild their lives in the United States. This decision leaves tens of thousands of displaced individuals—many of whom have spent years navigating the complex process—stranded in peril. Student delegates called on Congress to publicly support the continuation of the successful USRAP, pressure the administration to lift the suspension, and restore funding for refugee resettlement agencies, some of which have already faced layoffs.
The same week that students were advocating in Congress, a major court victory reinforced our message. On February 28, a federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking Trump’s executive order on USRAP. This legal victory was the result of coordinated efforts by IRAP, Church World Service, HIAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and nine impacted individuals who challenged the constitutionality of the Trump administration’s executive order in court. Refugee-serving organizations, faith leaders, political figures, refugee delegates, and attorneys gathered for a press conference and rally outside the courthouse, demonstrating broad public support for refugee protections. Inspired by this momentum, student delegates urged Congressional offices to ensure government compliance with the court’s order to immediately resume refugee admissions.
Student delegates also urged Members of Congress to vote NO on H.R. 32 – the “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act,” more accurately known as the “Defund Our Communities Act.” This Act is a direct attack on communities, as it prohibits state and local governments deemed to be “sanctuary jurisdictions” from receiving essential federal funding, including the National School Lunch Program and federal disaster relief. By threatening to withhold federal funding, the Act would force state and local jurisdictions to choose between relinquishing their autonomy on addressing local issues and losing essential federal funding.
Advocacy Week was a resounding success. Students met with offices from across the political spectrum not only to discuss the two asks mentioned above but also to tell personal stories that humanize the issues and remind our political leaders that these decisions have real, substantial impacts on entire communities, regardless of citizenship status. Advocacy Week cemented the importance of being active, zealous advocates and continuing our fight for the rights of refugees and other displaced persons. While this year’s Advocacy Week has concluded, students remain committed to advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants in their own communities and hope even more students and constituents will join IRAP in working toward a more just and welcoming future for all—starting with actions you can take today.
For student delegates attending virtually, the meetings provided a valuable advocacy opportunity, enabling them to engage in meaningful discussions despite being far from Capitol Hill. These sessions provided students with a unique opportunity to apply their legal education to a pressing human rights cause—an experience that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. For students like Tomo Duke from Seattle University School of Law, the virtual conversations felt particularly grounded, as they coincided with local legal advocacy efforts in Pacito v. Trump, unfolding just outside their law school. Through these meetings, students like Duke engaged in substantive discussions, gained a deeper understanding of Members of Congress’ work, and explored opportunities for continued collaboration.
IRAP also provided the opportunity for three students from law schools outside of the D.C.-metropolitan area to attend Advocacy Week in person at Capitol Hill. As one of the students chosen, Katherine Neal from Fordham University School of Law was very excited to travel to D.C. Having spent much of undergraduate volunteering with a refugee resettlement agency and researching issues that impact refugees, Neal was able to have impactful conversations with staffers, discussing the benefits of protecting refugee rights.
It can oftentimes feel like we are not doing enough—that no matter what we do, we have no real power to make change. However, Advocacy Week reminded students like Neal and Duke that there is power in numbers, that we do have a voice, and that we must continue to advocate not only for our rights but also for the rights of others.
Tomo Duke is a 1L at Seattle University School of Law and is a Co-Project Director for the school’s IRAP Chapter. Prior to law school, Duke worked closely with immigrant communities, working at faith-based organizations advocating for farm workers, assisting migrants as a shelter staff in Tijuana, and serving at a Latinx immigrant church. As a law student, Duke continues this work by working on an SIV COM Assistance Project and volunteering with local immigration legal service organizations.
Katherine Neal is a 1LE at the Fordham University School of Law. Neal has volunteered with refugee resettlement organizations in Tennessee and contributed to refugee policy discourse through her thesis on future research on policy planning for the influx of refugees and gender-based violence among refugee communities. This semester, Neal is volunteering with IRAP on an SIV COM Assistance Project.