One in 50 DACA-eligible youth nationwide calls Brooklyn home

Last week, the Trump Administration announced its decision to end the DACA program, which has given more than 800,000 young people nationwide the freedom to work, advance their education, and build a future in the country they’ve long called home—especially here in Brooklyn where more than 22,000 youth are estimated to be DACA eligible.

This decision not only undermines the great trust these young people placed in our government, it threatens the safety and stability of their families, their own young children, and their communities.

Today we are deploying $50,000 in Immediate Response Grants through our Immigrant Rights Fund to enable advocates here in Brooklyn to fight back and protect our Dreamers.

These organizations are working at the frontlines of national and local immigration advocacy, while providing critical legal and support services:

• Atlas:DIY
• Make the Road New York
• New York Immigration Coalition

A Focus on the Next 24 Days 

Funds will support urgent legal aid for 2-year DACA renewals before the October 5th deadline, which require a $465 filing fee per reauthorization request. Additionally, these organizations will lead legislative advocacy efforts around the DREAM Act and the American Hope Act. Learn more.

Underscoring the trauma of the Administration's decision, many young staff members of these organizations may be facing deportation themselves.

Our Ongoing Response

Making up nearly 40% of Brooklyn’s population, immigrants are the lifeblood of our borough. Brooklyn was built on the foundation of the American dream by immigrants from every corner of the world. For centuries, our borough has been a welcome home for all who seek a better life, imbuing our communities with vibrant diversity, culture, and economic growth. Today, more than half of all Brooklyn businesses are immigrant-owned. 

Within days after the November election, we established the Immigrant Rights Fund with a $1-million commitment and issued $70,000 in emergency grants that month to organizations serving impacted communities.

Then in January, within a week of the President’s Executive Order on Immigration in January—aka the Travel Ban—we announced our first round of Immediate Response grants. 

Today, a week after the decision to end DACA, we are quickly distributing a second round of grants where they’re needed most. 

To date, we have distributed nearly $350,000 through Immediate Response Grants, Sustained Response Grants, and Action Fund Grants.

Made Possible With Your Generosity 

We are committed to raising a minimum of $1 million to protect our immigrant communities over the next four years. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we are demonstrating Brooklyn’s firm resistance to unjust policies while bolstering the work of vital organizations.

Plus: Tech:NYC, representing 500 companies in New York City’s tech community, has selected our Immigrant Rights Fund as its recommended charity through its new Tech Takes Action campaign. 

Pledge your support to Brooklyn’s immigrant communities:
Give to the Immigrant Rights Fund today
100% of contributions will directly support vital immigrant-serving nonprofits