2019 Guidelines for Welcoming Policies  

Advocacy & Coalition Building How-To

In partnership with the Linking Communities Project and HIAS, we developed these how-to guides on Advocacy and Coalition Building for use with refugee community leaders across the country. These are general guides that can be used by any group that wants to learn more about how to get started with conducting advocacy efforts, or building […]

Advocacy Day Report (2015)

On April 20, 2015 immigrant and refugee community members, advocates and allies convened in Harrisburg to talk to legislators about issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities in Pennsylvania.

Advocacy Packet (2015)  

The 2015 Advocacy Packet was put together for use during PICC’s annual Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day on April 20th, 2015. We have made the packet available for use by any individual or organization who would like materials for local meetings with their elected representatives.

Ally’s Guide to Sanctuary

Learn more about what it means to advocate for sanctuary policies.

DACA Resources (2017)

With the Sept. 5th, 2017 announcement ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Trump Administration has upended the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people and their families. In this moment it is important that communities are receiving accurate information about what the end of DACA means for them, and what they can […]

Immigrant and Refugee Day of Action Toolkit

After the recent attacks on immigrant and refugee communities at both the state and federal level, it is time to come together and lift up an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse vision for Pennsylvania!

Know Your Rights

Do you know what to do if ICE comes to your door? Download resources to help educate your family and community!

Opening the Courthouse Doors to Limited English Proficient Individuals

On the afternoon of March 16, 2015 the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) is presenting a four hour half-day seminar “Opening the Courthouse Doors to Limited English Proficient Individuals- Language Access in PA Courts and Administrative Agencies” which has been planned and organized by attorneys with PICC member agencies Friends of Farmworkers, Inc. and Community Legal Services, Inc. PBI has set a special advanced registration rate of $29 for paralegals and interpreters interested in participating in this training that will include access to extensive written materials.

Philadelphia Ballot Initiative on Language Access

If you live and vote in Philadelphia, this year you can vote on Ballot Question #3, a ballot initiative on language access. If this initiative passes, it will ensure that uniform language access standards are followed by all city agencies, boards, and commissions. Newly covered agencies include the City Council and ‘row offices’ such as the City Commissioners, the District Attorney, the Board of Revision of Taxes, and the Sheriff.

Philadelphia City Council Hearing on Compliance With ICE Holds (2014)

On Wednesday, March 12th, City Council held a historic public hearing on Philadelphia’s compliance with ICE holds, which are non-mandatory requests from the federal immigration enforcement office to local Philadelphia law enforcement to hold someone who should otherwise be released. Immigrant leaders, advocates, and allies took the stand before Council’s Public Safety Committee to discuss the devastating impact of ICE holds on immigrant communities in Philadelphia and to call on the Mayor to work with community organizations to draft a new policy that ends all ICE holds.

Philadelphia ICE Hold Executive Order (2014)  

President Obama’s Executive Action on Immigration

Public Charge: What you need to know and how to take action

On October 10, 2018 the Department of Homeland Security published the official notice of its proposed change to the public charge rule. Publication of the rule has opened up a 60 day comment period, ending on December 10, 2018. This proposed regulation would dramatically broaden the “public charge” test that has been a part of […]

Refugees Welcome PA Toolkit (2015)  

Many national figures are using the tragic events in Paris and Beirut as a reason to promote anti-refugee hatred and fear and promote legislation to limit the resettlement of Syrian and all refugees into the United States. In November the House passed H.R 4038, the “American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Actof 2015 which makes […]

REPORT: A Changing Landscape: Pennsylvania Counties Reevaluate Policies on Immigration Detainers

We are excited to announce the release of A Changing Landscape: Pennsylvania Counties Reevaluate Policies on Immigration Detainers, a report by the Sheller Center for Social Justice on immigration detainer policies across Pennsylvania. According to this report, about half of Pennsylvania counties no longer hold individuals in local jails at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after they are otherwise eligible to be released.

REPORT: Driver’s Licenses for all: The Key to Safety and Security in Pennsylvania

On June 25, 2015, the Sheller Center for Social Justice at Temple University released Driver’s Licenses for all: The Key to Safety and Security in Pennsylvania, a report on the benefits of providing driver’s licenses for all in Pennsylvania.

REPORT: Fulfilling Pennsylvania’s Promise to Cover All Kids – Closing the Health Insurance Gap for Children

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) recently released Fulfilling Pennsylvania’s Promise to Cover All Kids – Closing the Health Insurance Gap for Children,a report on why CHIP coverage should be expanded to include undocumented children.

Shut Down Berks Toolkit

Pennsylvania is currently home to the Berks County Family Detention Center (BCRC), one of three detention centers for immigrant families, where children as young as two-weeks-old have been incarcerated. Many of the families currently at BCRC have been unjustly held for more than a year. You Can Help! Download the materials, organize a call in […]

Stop HB1885 – Advocacy Resources (2016)

The Pennsylvania Senate is expected to vote this week on HB1885, a bill that would punish cities and counties that limit collaboration with ICE, and would increase racial profiling in PA. If passed into law, this bill would make our communities less safe and would open every municipality in PA to costly litigation.

Stop PA Anti-Immigrant Legislation (2017-2018)

Materials for advocates who want to stop anti-immigrant legislation in Pennsylvania and promote immigrant-led campaigns.

#StoptheHate Educational Webinars

PICC is committed to the education and engagement of allies in our work. Our #StoptheHate Educational Webinars are the main platform for allies across the Commonwealth to become engaged in our advocacy initiatives and learn how they can take action to advance immigrant rights in a way that centers the needs of immigrant communities. During our #StoptheHate […]

Tuition Equity Toolkit

This toolkit includes 3 easy ways for advocates and allies to support the campaign for tuition equity. All materials, including tips, fact sheets and social media graphics are downloadable from this page. Please note we update this toolkit as needed. You will find the latest update at the bottom of each page of our toolkit. […]