Our Mission
To provide representation for all asylum seekers by training college students to become immigration advocates, and to fight for a socially just immigration system and community transformation.
Our Vision
A world with a socially just immigration system and
where immigrants are treated with dignity and justice
Our Values
+ Immigrants First
Listening to, responding to, and fighting for immigrants is SCIJ’s first priority. SCIJ believes there is no single immigrant story, and each immigrant deserves to be treated with dignity and justice. SCIJ is committed to empowering immigrants and giving them the support and skills they need to make a difference in their lives and community. SCIJ’s mission is guided by and responsive to the needs and voices of immigrants.
+ Students Are Leaders
Students have and continue to be at the forefront of advocating for social change. SCIJ believes students should be treated with respect and honored for their role in creating change. They must be treated as equals by their peer attorneys, organizers, and clinicians in the immigration field. SCIJ is committed to a lifelong support of their students so they are empowered to fight for change.
+ Committed to Anti-Racism
Today and throughout history, immigration and race have been intertwined. To fully advocate for change in immigration is to also commit to being anti-racist. This commitment is an active and continuous effort to empower and serve those who are most impacted by immigration policies, specifically immigrants and first-generation Americans, while also recognizing the multiple ways power and race influence all facets of society.
+ Together, We Fight
SCIJ understands that they alone cannot fix the systemic issues of the U.S.’s immigration system. SCIJ is committed to working with and supporting other people and organizations in this fight. SCIJ believes this work is not a competition but an opportunity for collaborating with and raising up others to address these issues.
+ Empowerment
SCIJ believes in empowering students, immigrant communities, staff, and supporters to take initiative, lead on important issues, and make key decisions. SCIJ is committed to continually finding ways to empower people and creating individual ownership. SCIJ recognizes how mentally taxing this work can be and SCIJ is committed to taking a proactive approach to creating and maintaining a healthy environment for everyone.
