Specific ways people are supporting immigrant and refugee communities right now.

This post was updated on May 23, 2025.

We’re hearing from readers and community members that they’ve been feeling overwhelmed. We get it. We’ve been gathering information and talking to folks in different nonprofits about what concerned folks can do to support immigrant and refugee communities.

Here’s what we learned:

• Raksha is raising money for its work to support survivors of domestic violence, after receiving news of the two termination of two Department of Justice grants in April, diminishing the organization’s funding for everything from housing assistance to community outreach about victims’ rights.
• New American Pathways is seeking donations of hygiene items (everything from laundry detergent to shampoo to cleaning supplies) to support newly arrived families. Check out the Amazon wishlist here, and email volunteercoordinator@newamericanpathways.org if you have questions.
• Malaya Georgia, a Filipino advocacy organization, along with the Justice for Alma Bowman campaign, a grassroots support group for a 58-year old Georgia resident with ties to U.S. citizenship who’s currently in detention, is encouraging concerned community members to write her letters of support. More info here.
• Boat People SOS (BPSOS), an organization that supports Vietnamese community members in the Atlanta area, is looking for volunteers to help with teaching English as well as citizenship classes, and is also looking for retired doctors, nurses, or nurse practitioners to help out at BPSOS’s community clinic.  Those interested should email trinh.pham@bpsos.org.  Speaking Vietnamese is not required.
• Ethaar, a local community nonprofit supporting refugee families, has been working to support newly arrived families. Sarah Karim, the organization’s executive director, says that because of the termination of federal contracts with larger agencies, there’s an increased need for donations to help families pay their rent, utility bills, and a need for assistance with job placement. Hygiene kits are especially necessary right now, and you can purchase from their Amazon wishlist here or reach out to Ethaar to learn how to create your own hygiene kits for distribution. More info about how to help the organization here.
• El Refugio, a nonprofit that accompanies immigrants who are detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, is raising money to support families of those in detention: a $25 donation pays for gas cards for visiting families and a $20 donation goes towards a commissary or phone deposit for someone detained. More info here.
• Team Libertad, a nonprofit that organizes volunteers to go to the Atlanta airport and support asylum seekers who were recently released from detention, is looking for volunteers. Learn more about the organization here, and fill out the volunteer intake form here.
• The Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) is looking for volunteers to help with immigration paperwork as well as a variety of both legal and non-legal needs for immigrants navigating unimaginable hardships. Volunteer with GAIN and help immigrant survivors reclaim their freedom and rebuild their lives by emailing volunteer@georgiaasylum.org. More info here.
• Amigos de la Comunidad Georgia is directly supporting low income Spanish speaking families in the Buford Highway corridor. More info on how to support the small nonprofit here. 
• The Afghan American Alliance of Georgia has launched a “crisis fund” with a goal of raising $35,000 to support 40 Afghan families who have recently arrived to Metro Atlanta, and who are impacted by the federal funding freeze to resettlement agencies. The organization is also seeking volunteers to support newly arriving families, as well as donations (check out their Amazon wish list here). Contact marzia@aaaga.org or text 404-429-1781 if interested. More info here.
• Locally based refugee resettlement agencies like New American Pathways, the International Rescue Committee, and Inspiritus have had their federal funding frozen, and are urging folks to call their elected officials. More info here.
• Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR) is asking folks to share Know Your Rights information, with downloadable flyers here. They also have a hotline for anyone with questions: (770)-457-5232.
• Local and national groups are also sharing resources, like this list from GALEO of low cost immigration counseling organizations in Georgia, as well as private practice immigration lawyers; and this national hotline for folks in detention and this database of free or low-cost legal support options.

 Did we miss something? We must have. Please send an email to gabriela@285south.com or sophia@285south.com if you have suggestions to add to the list, or if you have a specific question, or resources you want us to find for you.