Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions.  ALIRP Advocacy seeks to ensure that people, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, are able to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them, defend and safeguard their rights, and have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives, leading a change towards a greater social justice and equality. Effective advocacy involves carefully documenting and defining the problem, targeting an ‘audience’ or group that can effect change, proposing a solution, and using evidence and data as a basis for each effort. Volunteers and Case Managers often work with individual Partners to document issues, ensure that they "Know their Rights," and can access the services that they are entitled to access.

There are three major types of advocacy, that occur at different levels with different targets: 

• Individual "Self" Advocacy is supporting a single person or a group of individuals.  Also referred to as Case Advocacy where people plea or request access to resources, such as access to a needed medication for a refugee child or ensuring the access of an English as Second Language (ESL) teacher at a child's local public school.  
• Policy Advocacy is calling for changes to policies and legislation that will benefit most or all refugees and asylum seekers, such as reducing the wait period of 150 days to apply for a work permit after submitting an asylum claim to a 30 day wait period.
• Systems Advocacy works to achieve practice changes that improve quality of life and development for several or many refugees and people seeking asylum, such as ensuring access to culturally and language-appropriate developmental assessments.  

ALIRP Advocacy Efforts span all levels of advocacy. ALIRP also works with many other advocacy groups in Alabama, like the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) and nationally, like the Refugee Council USA to support both Policy and Systems level advocacy work. 

If you are interested in getting more involved with ALIRP Advocacy Efforts, please reach out to [email protected].  

RECENT ACTIONS: Press Release, May 2025

In response to the anti-immigration and discriminatory policies proposed by Alabama Legislators in the 2025 Legislative Session, ALIRP joined The Alabama Immigrant Advocacy Coalition, made up of more than 10 organizations in the state. Several advocacy efforts were organized including attending and speaking out at legilsative hearings in Montgomery from February-May. Up to 7 bills were read, and only two of those bills were passed: SB 53 (anti-immigration bill focused on harboring) and BS63 (immigrant biometric collection).  In response to these bills being passed, the following Press Release was submitted: The Alabama Immigrant Advocacy Coalition Decries Governor Ivey’s Signing of Anti-Immigrant Bills.  The English and Spanish versions are available to the right for download, or you can read the press release, published May 22, 2025, by clicking on the link from the National Immigration Project website: https://nipnlg.org/news/press-releases/alabama-immigrant-advocacy-coalition-decries-governor-iveys-signing-anti. 

Photo Gallery

Below are photos that include various events where Board Members, Staff, or Volunteers have participated in Advocacy Action at all levels from individual to policy to systems.  All photos are owned by ALIRP.