Indivisible ADK/Saratoga Immigrant Justice Team

Our aim is to strengthen Indivisible ADK/Saratoga's work in immigrant justice by focusing our efforts and collaborating with the many existing, wonderful organizations in our communities. We're here to amplify voices, connect resources, and take specific actions that will make a real difference for immigrants in our region.

Our Mission (What we do, simply)

The mission of the Indivisible ADK/Saratoga Immigrant Justice Team is to support all immigrants in our region through focused advocacy, community education, and construction of a robust Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Rapid Response network alongside our partners.

Our Vision (What we hope to achieve together)

We envision a safe and welcoming region where immigrants are seen and supported, and their rights are upheld. Through our collective action and strong partnerships, we aim to contribute to a fair and just immigration system, ensuring all our neighbors can live without fear.

Our Guiding Principles (How we work)

These principles guide our actions and how we engage with our community and partners:

1. Focused Advocacy for Change: We will actively advocate for important changes in immigration policy at both the state and national levels, working to influence laws that protect immigrant rights.
2. Community Education & Awareness: We are committed to raising public awareness about immigrant justice issues and their local impact. We believe that understanding leads to action and a more welcoming community.
3. Building a Rapid Response Network: We will develop an effective ICE Rapid Response network. This means organizing to counter anti-immigrant actions and ensuring our communities are prepared and supported when needed.

Collaboration, Not Duplication: We are dedicated to partnering closely with long-standing local organizations, other Indivisible groups, and affinity organizations. We

Our Guiding Principles (How we work)

These principles guide our actions and how we engage with our community and partners:

1. Focused Advocacy for Change: We will actively advocate for important changes in immigration policy at both the state and national levels, working to influence laws that protect immigrant rights.
2. Community Education & Awareness: We are committed to raising public awareness about immigrant justice issues and their local impact. We believe that understanding leads to action and a more welcoming community.
3. Building a Rapid Response Network: We will develop an effective ICE Rapid Response network. This means organizing to counter anti-immigrant actions and ensuring our communities are prepared and supported when needed.
4. Collaboration, Not Duplication: We are dedicated to partnering closely with long-standing local organizations, other Indivisible groups, and affinity organizations. We aim to support existing efforts, share resources, and create stronger collective impact.
5. Dignity and Respect: We believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of immigration status. This principle drives all our efforts.
6. Empowering Our Community: We strive to empower volunteers and community members to take meaningful action, providing clear ways to get involved and make a difference.

• Emergency Medicaid: Covers emergency medical services for those who meet income and other eligibility criteria but lack qualifying immigration status. It does not include ongoing or preventive care.

• Public Health Programs: Includes immunizations and testing/treatment for communicable diseases, available regardless of immigration status.

• School Breakfast and Lunch Programs: Provided to all schoolchildren, including those who are undocumented, through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Offers nutrition assistance to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children, with access available in every state regardless of immigration status.

• Short-Term Noncash Emergency Disaster Assistance: Provides aid such as food, water, and temporary shelter during disasters, without immigration status restrictions.

• In-Kind Services Necessary to Protect Life or Safety: Includes access to soup kitchens, short-term shelters, crisis counseling, and community services like child/adult protective services or weather emergency programs, as long as no income qualification is required for the household.

• Public K-12 Education: Free public education for children, mandated by federal law regardless of immigration status.

Note: A 2025 policy update expanded the list of barred federal programs to include additional services like Head Start and Title X family planning, but the exemptions above remain intact.