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 gatherings and events. For information about upcoming activities, please email ijag@firstunitarianportland.org.
The Immigrant Justice Action Group works 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 immigration issues and support immigrants & refugees in our community. Watch the Front Steps e-news each week for details.
*************************************************************************************************************As We work to support and protect our immigrant neighbors during these traumatic times, members of IJAG and the congregation, are actively involved with the following organizations:
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO)
Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition (IMAC)
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ)
Pacific Refugee Support Group (PRSG)
PCUN: Oregon’s Farmworker Union
Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC)
Western Farmworkers Association (WFWA)
VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project
*************************************************************************************************************How Do We Protect Immigrants in Our Community?
In winter and spring of 2025 the Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) and Advancing Racial Justice Action Group (ARJAG) co-organized a series of online workshops to educate members of our congregation and community about issues faced by immigrant communities, the groups that serve them, and how we can best provide support.
Videos of the first two workshops can be found here:
January 28, 2025: Panelists includes representatives from Innovation Law Lab, Oregon for All Coalition, and VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project
March 4, 2025: Panelists included representatives from ACLU, PCUN: Oregon’s Farmworkers Union, and Oregon State Representative Ricki Ruiz
*************************************************************************************************************ImImmigrant Justice Organizations List
During 2025, IJAG members compiled a list of organizations working on immigration justice and social justice. This list, which is not comprehensive, focuses primarily on local and (some) regional grassroots organizations. View here.
To learn more about IJAG, read our narrative history written by founding members of our group: “A History of the Immigrant Justice Action Group“
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To learn more about IJAG, read our narrative history written by founding members of our group: “A History of the Immigrant Justice Action Group“
Neighbor to Neighbor Interfaith Vigil at ICE Field Office; Portland, OR; December 3, 2025