Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) is an American political advocacy organization.

History

Following the passage of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, representatives from Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, and Dolores Mission formed a steering committee to coordinate the efforts of charities, legal service organizations, and advocacy organizations.

With the sponsorship of United Way, CHIRLA was formed. In 1989, CHIRLA established the first day labor center in the United States.^{[citation needed]} In 1993, it was granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status. In the same year, faced with major changes to laws pertaining to unauthorized immigrants from California Proposition 187, CHIRLA spearheaded public awareness campaigns to dispel myths and inform the immigrant community.

Organization

CHIRLA is led by a seven-person board.^[1]

Activities

CHIRLA's activities focus on three major areas: education, political advocacy, and community organization.

Education is carried out through seminars, office visits, telephone calls, trainings, information fairs, townhall meetings, and media outreach. CHIRLA has also produced the propaganda DVD Know Your Rights!^[2]

Political advocacy centers around pressuring lawmakers to pass laws "that promote and protect the human and civil rights of immigrants."^[3]

Community organizational campaigns include efforts to organize domestic workers, day laborers, and undocumented students.

References