- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $50,000
- Grant Period July 1, 2020–June 30, 2022
- Location New York, NY, United States
- Geographic Focus Central America, Mexico, United States
About this grant
The program goal is to provide information and legal support to immigrants as they migrate into the United States. To this end, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project hosts online communities that provide real-time information and support as well as legal emergency rooms that allow asylum seekers to access legal aid without physically being with a lawyer. Additionally, the grantee advocates and litigates for a more equitable and just immigration system. After an unusual court case ruling in 2020, in order to have access to work permits after 185 days as opposed to 365 days, asylum seekers must be members of either CASA or the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, significantly increasing the grantees’ membership and stretching its capacity. This increase will allow the grantee to hire new staff, increase fundraising capacity and improve its technological infrastructure. Founded in 2015 as an all-volunteer effort, the grantee joined the Urban Justice Center in 2016 as a fiscally-sponsored project. In July 2019, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.