How you can help Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee communities right now

Since the start of 2025, we’ve been learning about how local groups serving immigrant and refugee communities have been impacted directly or indirectly by changes at the federal level- whether its through federal funding freezes or through an increase in people looking for legal support or a need for gas money so families can visit their loved ones in detention. We’ve also been staying updated on ongoing needs, and have compiled this list on ways to offer your support.

Direct monetary or material donations

For newly arrived Afghan families
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.

Supporting a Heal Palestine family

The Atlanta chapter of HEAL Palestine is seeking donations to support Yassin, a 12-year-old boy recently profiled in 285 South.  They’re hoping to raise $44,000 to cover rent, food, and other essentials for Yassin and his family while they’re in Georgia over the next year—info on how you can donate here.

Specific, org-based volunteer opportunities

Observe and document court hearings for immigrants in detention (virtual)
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) seeks volunteers for its Court Watch Program. Volunteers will observe hearings for the rural Stewart Immigration Court, where immigrants plead to be released from detention. Hearings are held each weekday morning from 8-9 a.m., and volunteers can sign up for shifts at their convenience to observe hearings via the virtual Webex platform. As volunteers, you will document critical information, helping to map trends in judge’s decisions, and ensure justice and accountability for immigrants seeking release from detention. No experience or qualifications required. Sign up here.

Teach English to Vietnamese community members
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.

Accompany asylum seekers at the Atlanta Airport
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.

Help with immigration paperwork and other legal and non-legal needs
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.

Participate in letter-writing campaigns
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.

Pro-bono opportunities for lawyers
Kids in Need of Defense, which provides legal counsel to unaccompanied children in the metro and beyond, is on the lookout for immigration attorneys to volunteer to take cases pro bono.

Phone calls

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 (find your representative here), as well as Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. and When you call, the organizations suggest simply saying: “I want the administration to stop this pause on federal grants. Nonprofits rely on these funds to support our communities, and we must ensure they continue to provide essential services.” More info here.

Emails and online petitions

Help save afterschool programs for refugee youth
Proposed cuts to the Department of Education would eliminate 17 grant programs, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant dedicated to afterschool and summer learning programs, which is essential for programs like New American Pathways’ Bright Futures After School Program and summer camp. These programs offer tutoring, homework help, recreation, social-emotional learning, and English language support that are tailored specifically for refugee and immigrant students in Georgia. Take action by contacting your representatives here.

National TPS Alliance

The National TPS Alliance, a national nonprofit with a Georgia-based chapter formed by beneficiaries of the Temporary Protected Status including Venezuelans and Haitians, is undergoing a week of action calling on Congress to enact legislation providing a pathway to lawful permanent residency for TPS holders. The Alliance is collecting signatures to send letters to congress members here. The campaign comes after the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to end legal protections for more than 300,000 Venezuelans.

Distribute and share information

Many local groups are encouraging community members to share information — whether by downloading and printing already-created fliers — or by creating your own zines (mini magazines) using information from trusted organizations. Sharing resources is essential in a world dependent on keeping you too busy to be in the know, especially for those in communities with limited English proficiency.

Sur Legal Collaborative shared these tips on what to do if you spot ICE in Atlanta.

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 fiza@285south.com or sophia@285south.com if you have suggestions to add to the list, if you have a specific question, or resources you want us to find for you.