Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)

In keeping with our eight principles and as social justice allies, our mission is to support and enhance the rights of refugees, migrants, and immigrants in our community. We provide information; promote understanding and engagement of our fellow UU congregants to these ends.

IJAG hosts regular monthly events and meetings. For information about upcoming activities, please email ijag@firstunitarianportland.org 

The Immigrant Justice Action Group will work to:

  • Take action to demonstrate and support immigrants as they express their needs.
  • Educate fellow congregants on issues facing immigrants in our community.
  • Support congregants in becoming allies to immigrants.
  • Interface with other organizations and faith groups in Portland working on immigration issues and actively participate in the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ).
  • Partner with action groups within the Social Justice Council recognizing the impact of white supremacy culture on all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and the power of collaboration.

We regularly participate in all-church informational and action-oriented programs that address issues and support immigrants and refugees in our community. Watch The Front Steps each week for details.


IJAG Community Building Schedule: Alternating Meetings and Lunch Gatherings

In order to build community for the work we endeavor to do together, IJAG maintains an alternating schedule of meetings at First Unitarian on the third Sunday of the month in the Channing Room at 9:30 and, with a business meeting and lunch at Elephants at SW Corbett and Boundary the following month at 12:30. Pay for your lunch downstairs and then join us in the big dining room upstairs for business and conversation. 

The schedule for the rest of the program year is the following:

  • Monday, February 19 (Presidents Day Weekend) at 12:30 – LUNCH MTG
    • Location: Elephants on Corbett (ample parking, easy access from most parts of the city)
  • Sunday, March 17, – SOCIAL JUSTICE DEMOCRACY FAIR
    • Sunday is the Social Justice Democracy Fair at church, and we’ll be tabling. Come by and see what we’re about!
  • Monday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m. – LUNCH MTG
    • Location: Elephants on Corbett
  • Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. – CONNECT WITH US!
    • Location: Channing Room
  • Monday, June 17, 12:30 pm – LUNCH MTG
    • Location: Elephants on Corbett

Summer Schedule TBD

Please email ijag@firstunitarianportland.org for more information.

IJAG members have relationships with numerous local organizations supporting justice for immigrants. Below are a few organizations where IJAG members are currently involved. Please consider supporting these organizations or other organizations working towards justice for immigrants.

Bienestar “builds housing, hope, and community for the wellbeing of Latinx, immigrants, and all families in need”. To make a donation click here. For additional information about Bienestar, contact IJAG member Karen Shawcross.

Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition (IMAC) “provides support to Latinx and immigrant communities in Clackamas County”. A list of donation requests can be found here. For additional information about IMAC, contact IJAG members Ann Zawaski or Lena Lee.

Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) “accompanies and equips communities and people of faith in [Oregon] to advance immigrant justice through direct accompaniment of immigrants facing detention and deportation, policy advocacy at local, state and national levels, and collective action”.  To make a donation click here.  Form more information about IMIrJ contact IJAG member Wendy Rankin.

PCC’s Legal Resource Center assists Portland Community College students and the community in multiple ways including assisting dreamers with their DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewals. Every two years DACA recipients must submit a renewal application as pay a $495 filing fee. While the Legal Resource Centers are able to assist anyone with completing their paperwork, they only have funding to pay the filing fees for PCC students. If you would like to help fund a non-PCC student’s DACA fee you can donate by clicking here and selecting “Other”, and writing that you would like to cover DACA filing fees.  Many IJAG members regularly support these PCC services.

Refugee Care Collective serves diverse populations of refugees being resettled in the Portland Metro area,To learn more about getting involved, click here. Information about making a donation can be found here. For additional information about the Collective or to help make refugee care kits, contact IJAG member Margot Lavoie.

Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA), is a membership organization of farm workers and other low-income workers working to improve living and working conditions for low-income workers and to reverse policies that have a negative impact on them.  To learn more about getting involved click here. For additional information about WFWA, contact  IJAG members Mary Ann Barham or Laurie Lester.

Our meetings will include time for reflection and sharing, information about the many dimensions of immigration, along with updates on actions we can take.

Image: Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) back to school distribution (September 2021)


2023-24 Leadership Team: Jane Lawson, Lynn McClenahan, Laurie Lester