CASA Virginia

Throughout its history, America has seen waves of migration from other parts of the world. Immigrants come to the US seeking a new life, but upon arrival, face many hurdles as they assimilate into the broader American society and culture. It can be challenging for them to learn new career skills, languages, citizenship, political and financial responsibilities, and a different way of life. One of the most effective strategies for addressing these challenges is organizing communities and coordinating relief efforts with other immigrants. With over one hundred-twenty-two thousand Latino, immigrant, and working-class members in forty-six states, CASA is among the most prominent immigrants right organizations in the United States.i

CASA’s Structure and Regional Programs

Based in the mid-Atlantic region, CASA consists of immigrants’ rights member committees that meet monthly to organize and campaign for various issues from communal policing to environmental quality. CASA members have fought for justice for DACA holders and other undocumented immigrants, in addition to providing vocational training, youth development, and other services. Since CASA includes members from nearly every state, some states have programs that are not available in other states, and CASA also assists with them. For example, in Virginia, they provide legal assistance in housing, employment, DACA renewal, and Temporary Protected Status, which varies depending on the country of origin.

Community Engagement

One of the ways CASA encourages its members to participate in their communities is through volunteering. In 2016, CASA launched its Americorps program in Virginia, based in Woodbridge and Falls Church. Americorps offers volunteering opportunities with various time commitments, skills, and requirements, giving job training at an individual’s convenience while allowing them benefits and the chance to “be part of something bigger.”ii CASA also funds and coordinates Moving Forward, which provides family services, pathways to higher education, and trade certification, allowing individuals to advance and pursue their own interests.

Financial Education

After an immigrant has landed employment, financial independence is another step in the journey CASA can teach an individual how to budget their finances and establish a savings account, as well as how to build credit, afford naturalization fees, and finance and purchase a home. They also provide workshops on identification documents, debt analysis, and other financial services, including micro loans. For renters, CASA can provide rental insurance, dispute and crisis management, and eviction legal services.

Academic Equity

The desire for education, whether it be for oneself or one’s children, is often the main reason immigrants come to the United States. CASA acknowledges that a better-educated community often receives more funding from the federal government. In addition, education gives one pride in themselves, a sense of accomplishment in life, and opens economic and professional doors. However, public education is often chronically underfunded, adding to the immigrant communities’ frustrations. According to CASA’s website, wearecasa.org, “[in] 2015, the federal education department released a report that showed that the funding gap between rich and poor schools grew 44 percent over a decade between 2001-2022 and 2011-2012.” CASA addresses this by advocating for students to receive funding and an equal opportunity in education.iii

Justice and Healthcare

An immigrant’s chances of achieving these goals are often stymied on arrival by systemic racism and inequality, with the criminal justice and healthcare systems being but two examples. Undocumented immigrants face deportation, family separation, and other issues preventing them from obtaining citizenship. Mass incarceration and police accountability are issues within the immigrant community, and CASA works with civil rights organizations and formerly incarcerated individuals to advocate for change. Another issue is healthcare. COVID-19 has been hard on the immigrant community, and in 2021 CASA launched a contact tracing program in southern Maryland and northern Virginia, which had the added benefit of providing jobs as well as lowering the infection rate.iv

Voter Registration and Civic Participation

“Our nation is stronger when voters head to the polls to make their voices heard,” wearecasa.org states openly. Voter registration is a major concern which applies to all Virginians, and CASA provides a voter registration form on its website. The site goes further by explaining how and where to vote once registered, and provides state-by-state information on mail-in-voting and registration deadlines. In Pennsylvania CASA circulated a petition to make sure every vote was counted as voter participation and accuracy is of utmost importance.

Legislative Advocacy and Political Action

The legislative process is the next step after voter registration. In Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia, in 2021 CASA lobbied for various community initiatives including Safe Streets, which focused on improving local transportation infrastructure such as roads and transit systems, and trust policies which built trust between immigrant communities and the local government. After the 2020 presidential election, the organization pursued a “first hundred days” campaign, holding a rally once a week every week for the first one hundred days of the new Biden administration. The goal of this campaign was to hold the new administration accountable for the promises they made to the Latinx community during the election cycle.

The Growing Impact of CASA and Latinx Organizing

The Latinx movement is growing in the United States thanks to CASA and other, similar organizations. The various campaigns and initiatives they have carried out in Virginia and elsewhere have resulted in successes, with only minor setbacks. Through organizing at the community, political, legislative, and individual level, CASA has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring a brighter future for all Virginians.

i“About,” About Section, CASA website, accessed 11/20/22 https://wearecasa.org/about/.

ii“Why Serve With Americorps?” What’s at your core? Americorps website, accessed 11/20/2022 https://americorps.gov/serve

iii“Education,” Policy Section, CASA website. 11/20/22

ivCASA website, 11/21/2022 wearecasa.org.

vChristian Martinez-Lemus, CASA Advocacy Specialist, Zoom interview conducted by author, 10/21/22.