Rights Advocacy

From federal courtrooms to the halls of Congress, RAICES leads the fight for systemic immigration reform and immigrant rights. We recognize the power of collective action in dismantling unjust policies and building a more equitable legal landscape for all. Our advocacy programming is dedicated to ensuring that the voices of the communities we represent are heard at the highest levels of government.

We maintain unwavering accountability to the people and families we serve. Our mission transcends political administrations; we are steadfast in our commitment to defend, empower, and advocate for the fundamental human and legal rights of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Through strategic policy influence and community mobilization, we challenge the status quo to protect those in pursuit of safety.

Join us in our vision for a country where every person has the legal right to seek asylum and the opportunity to call this country home with dignity. Together, we are building a movement that prioritizes humanitarian aid and due process over exclusion and incarceration.

  • Asylum Access Services

    Functioning as a high-intensity "Emergency Room" for the legal landscape, RAICES protects the human and legal right to seek asylum for those in government custody. As the sole humanitarian provider maintaining a weekly presence at Dilley—the only active family detention facility in the country—we specialize in Detained Family Defense. Our professional team delivers trauma-informed screenings, essential legal education, and emergency representation for families navigating expedited removal proceedings.

  • Impact Litigation

    Through strategic impact litigation, RAICES pursues relief and restitution for individuals who have suffered unlawful harm while in U.S. government custody. Our organization is steadfast in its commitment to upholding due process and establishing humane protections for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

  • Narrative Change

    At RAICES, we operate under the conviction that the legal landscape is fundamentally shaped by cultural narratives. Through powerful storytelling and by centering the lived experiences of those at the frontlines of our immigration system, we strive to shift the hearts and minds of the public toward systemic change and the urgent realization of immigrant justice.