How can I help immigrants in my community? Use this guide.

Immigrants make up a vital part of American society, contributing to the economy, culture, and local communities across the country. However, they also face immense challenges, from legal obstacles to limited access to essential services.

More than five million child U.S. citizens have at least one undocumented family member, putting them at risk of family separation due to deportation policies. Additionally, the immigration system remains under-resourced, leaving many asylum seekers and migrant children without the support they need to thrive.

Despite these challenges, there are numerous ways that individuals can take meaningful action to support immigrants and refugees in their communities.

You can take action to make a real difference, by creating Change.org petitions, attending public meetings and hearings, or contributing to community-building efforts. Explore both the challenges facing immigrants and important ways you can help them in this guide.

→ Start a petition today on Change.org

Top challenges immigrants face in the U.S.

As of 2023, about 73% of immigrants in the U.S. held permanent legal status or a long-term nonimmigrant visa (such as an international student or temporary worker). Here are some of the top obstacles they encounter in their daily lives.

Overwhelmed support systems for migrant children

The systems designed to aid immigrant children, particularly asylum seekers, are strained.

Shelters and legal aid organizations often lack sufficient resources to accommodate displaced children and youth. Many children face difficulties enrolling in school, accessing healthcare, and securing stable housing.

Fear of deportation and family separation

More than five million U.S. citizen children live with undocumented relatives, making the threat of deportation a constant fear for many families. The fear of separation discourages many immigrant families from seeking essential services, including healthcare and education, exacerbating inequalities.

Barriers to education and employment

Many immigrant children and immigrant youth struggle to access quality education due to language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles.

Additionally, undocumented immigrants often have limited job opportunities, leading to financial instability and economic insecurity. They often have to work in sectors where U.S. citizens do not want to work, such as construction, services, or farming.

Lack of access to legal aid

Immigrants navigating the complex legal system often do so without legal representation. According to the American Immigration Council, between 2007 and 2012, only 37% of all immigrants secured legal representation in their removal cases.

The study, which was the first of its kind at the time, also showed that immigrants in detention were the least likely to obtain representation. Only 14% of detained immigrants acquired legal assistance, compared with two-thirds of nondetained immigrants.

In recent years, the situation has not improved. At the end of 2023, only 30% of immigrants in need of legal representation had a lawyer. The figure goes as low as 14% for courts based in Colorado.

This significantly impacts their chances of gaining asylum or avoiding deportation. Many organizations provide legal services, but they are often underfunded and unable to meet demand.

The impact of policy changes

New policies and executive actions continue to reshape immigrant rights in the U.S. Recent restrictions on asylum seekers and expanded deportation efforts have left many vulnerable individuals without protection.

On top of this, U.S. immigration law is incredibly complicated, making it even more difficult for immigrants and asylum seekers.

Advocacy and legislative action are crucial to secure humane immigration policies.

How you can help immigrants in your community

There are a variety of different ways to help immigrants facing hurdles and injustices, from policy advocacy to donating to supportive organizations or volunteering to help with language learning. If you’re concerned with the changing political landscape that’s affecting immigrants, or have immigrants in your life you want to help, here are impactful ways to get involved.

Support trusted organizations that help immigrants and asylum seekers

Many nonprofit organizations provide direct assistance to immigrants and asylum seekers. These organizations work on a range of issues, from legal aid to emergency relief. By donating or volunteering, you can help sustain their crucial work. Consider supporting organizations such as:

• American Immigration Council: Advocates for fair immigration policies through research, legal action, and public education.
• National Immigration Law Center: Defends and advances immigrant rights, focusing on low-income immigrants through litigation and policy advocacy.
• American Civil Liberties Union: Protects civil rights and liberties, including immigrant rights, through litigation, advocacy, and public education.
• Women’s Refugee Commission: Advocates for refugee and migrant women’s and children’s rights, focusing on protection and empowerment.
• Global Refuge: Provides support and resources for displaced individuals, focusing on humanitarian aid and advocacy for refugee rights.

Volunteer for ESL and mentorship programs

Many immigrants face language barriers that limit their access to job opportunities and essential services. Volunteering to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or mentoring newly arrived families can significantly ease their transition.

Look for programs at local libraries, community centers, and nonprofit organizations.

Tutoring immigrant students or helping adults learn English can empower them to integrate more easily into their new communities.

Advocate for policy change

Advocacy is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change for immigrants in your community. Start by staying informed about current immigration policies and proposed legislation. Subscribe to updates from the American Immigration Council or National Immigration Law Center, so you know when critical votes or public comment periods are happening.

Take direct action by contacting your elected officials—call, email, or write letters to express your support for humane immigration policies. Use tools like USA.gov to find your representatives. Attend town halls to ask questions and raise immigrant rights as a priority issue.

You can also amplify your impact by starting or signing petitions, joining local advocacy groups, or participating in organized campaigns and rallies.

Provide direct assistance in your local community

If you want to make an immediate, personal impact, offer direct support to immigrants in your area. Many newcomers face daily challenges like securing safe housing, accessing healthcare, or navigating complex legal processes.

Offer practical help by driving individuals to legal hearings, medical appointments, or job interviews. Assist with filling out forms for asylum applications, work permits, or public services—many nonprofits provide training for volunteers to safely and accurately help with paperwork.

You can also help organize or join local mutual aid networks that provide essentials like groceries, clothing, and emergency funds. Community fridges, housing support initiatives, and donation drives are great ways to meet immediate needs. Reach out to local immigrant support groups or faith-based organizations, which often coordinate volunteer opportunities and know where help is most urgently needed.

Start a petition on Change.org

Petitions are a powerful tool for raising awareness and pressuring lawmakers to take action. Creating or signing a petition on Change.org can help push for policies that support immigrants and their families.

Successful petitions have led to real policy changes, including the creation of a Ukrainian refugee program in the U.S., for instance.

By mobilizing community support, petitions can make a significant difference.

Support immigrant communities and their businesses

Economic empowerment is a crucial aspect of immigrant integration. Shopping at immigrant-owned businesses helps strengthen their financial stability and enriches the local economy.

By consciously choosing to support immigrant entrepreneurs, you contribute to their success and create a more inclusive marketplace.

Report and stand against discrimination

If you witness discrimination against immigrants, take action. Whether in the workplace, schools, or public spaces, standing up against injustice helps create a safer environment for all.

Report hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and harassment to the appropriate authorities. Advocate for inclusive policies at work and in your community. Solidarity can be a powerful force for change.

Talk to the media

Are you aware of unaccompanied minors in your community in need of help? Have you started a petition to help advance immigration rights? Talk to the media!

If you start a petition, getting coverage on national or local newspapers, TV, radio, or podcasts can seriously boost its chances of success. There are many ways to get on the news, such as crafting a winning news pitch.

By gaining media exposure for a cause, you could be taking a critical role in helping immigrants and refugees start a new life in the country.

Immigrant advocacy in action

Every day, thousands of people on Change.org fight for the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees. Here are some examples of successful immigration petitions, from stopping bills to helping families stay together.

Petition to prevent discriminatory policing in Wyoming

In February 2025, a petition was started to stop Senate File 0124 (SF0124), a proposed bill in Wyoming. This bill would have criminalized aiding undocumented immigrants and required local law enforcement to check immigration status, risking racial profiling and deterring crime reporting.

The petition expressed that it threatened immigrant communities, ordinary citizens, and law enforcement resources. It urged lawmakers to reject SF0124 and protect immigrant rights.

Advocacy efforts included signing, contacting legislators, attending rallies, and educating communities to prevent discriminatory policing and promote fair immigration policies.

Using petition updates, the organizer was able to:

• Keep supporters up to speed on the bill’s progress
• Ask supporters to share the petition to get more signatures
• Direct supporters to submit their opposition online through a hotline
• Encourage supporters to contact key legislators to advocate for the petition and its demands

The petition quickly reached its goal, and the bill was stopped.

Petition to oppose Mississippi House Bill 1484

​Mississippi House Bill 1484 proposed creating a bounty hunter program offering $1,000 rewards for reporting undocumented immigrants. The bill included that apprehended individuals would face life imprisonment without parole.

This bill threatened immigrant communities with racial profiling and unjust punishment, while burdening taxpayers with incarceration costs. The petition urged lawmakers to oppose HB 1484, advocating for humane immigration policies.

The petition launched at the end of January 2025, and the bill died just a few days later, on February 4th, 2025.

Petition to prevent ICE deportation

In August 2023, Travis McLain, an American citizen with deep family roots in the United States military, launched a petition to prevent the deportation of his brother-in-law, Edan, and his nephew. The looming deportation would have imposed a 10-year reentry ban, threatening to separate Edan from his spouse and disrupt the family’s unity.

The petition called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to grant Edan Voluntary Departure, which would allow him to leave the country without triggering the decade-long ban and pursue legal immigration options. Supporters were urged to share the petition widely on social media to amplify its reach.

This collective effort paid off: the judge granted Edan Voluntary Departure, sparing him from the reentry bar and keeping the family together. A key part of this success was presenting the petition’s signatures directly to the judge, demonstrating broad public support for the family’s cause.

Help immigrants and displaced people today

Supporting immigrants in your community isn’t just an act of compassion — it’s a meaningful step toward a more just and inclusive society. Whether you offer direct assistance, raise your voice through advocacy, or help educate others, your actions can have a lasting impact.

One step you can take right now to get involved and spread the world about an immigration issue that’s important to you is by starting a petition.