Perspectives

Perspectives gives esteemed leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit community the opportunity to share their viewpoints, analyses, and reflections on a range of immigration and immigrant issues. The goal of Perspectives is to share ideas, promote deeper understanding, and generate dialogue among our members and other grantmakers.

  • Perspectives 2009 Winter

    Impact of Immigration Enforcement Raids on Children and Families: Roles for Foundations, describes the significant impact ICE raids are having on children and familes, compromising the well-being of American children and placing enormous burdens on states and local communities to respond to the humanitarian crisis that follows these raids. Authors, Randy Capps, Ajay Chaudry, and Ruby Takanishi discuss the struggles that occur, how communities are responding, and recommendations to funders to support public policy, research, raid response networks, and humanitarian aid.

  • Perspectives 2008 Spring

    Karen Musalo, director of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies and the Human Rights Clinic at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, makes a case for why the United States should grant refugee status to immigrant women who suffer human rights violations, such as female genital cutting and forced marriage. She also demonstrates how improved U.S. foreign policy could prevent the flight of women by forcing other countries to stiffen their own laws and improve criminal prosecutions as conditions for receiving U.S. aid.

  • Perspectives 2007 Fall

    In this issue, Kalpana Krishnamurthy, director of the Research and Action for Change and Equity (RACE) Program, illuminates effective strategies for building the leadership skills of first-generation immigrants and refugees. She shares insights from the Western Institute for Organizing and Leadership Development for Immigrants and Refugees (WILDIR) and offers lessons learned and recommendations for foundations. WILDIR’s curriculum provides a space where immigrants and refugees from around the world can share their experiences, explore issues of identity, and tackle tough topics such as the implications of race in their countries of origin as well as in the United States. As an outcome, the program endeavors to build a strong, multi-ethnic immigrant and refugee justice movement by strengthening the skills of immigrant leaders, and fostering a deeper understanding of political engagement strategies to ensure that a united immigrant voice can be heard.

    Order printed copies of this publication here.

  • Perspectives 2007 Spring

    In Growing Attacks on Immigrants Have Real Implications for Black America, Eric Ward, national field director for the Center for New Community, writes about his ordeal as an undocumented, native-born U.S. citizen. An estimated 11 million native-born citizens share his dilemma in this country. He explains how anti-immigrant legislation further complicates this situation. His essay culminates the three-part series on race and immigration.

  • Perspectives 2006 Fall

    Karen K. Narasaki, president and Executive Director of Asian American Justice Center, makes the case that only by addressing race directly can we ensure America's ability to live up to the promise of fairness and opportunity for all. She warns against viewing immigration as solely a Latino issue and debunks several myths about the racially diverse immigrant community. In her conclusion, she recommends strategies that foundations can follow to nurture the building of a broad and powerful social movement that benefits all members of society.

  • Perspectives 2006 Spring

    In The Black and Brown Divide, Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, explores how an increased number of immigrants from Latin America fuels tensions between Mexican- and African-Americans as these two groups compete for jobs and resources. He examines the relationship between the two populations, demonstrates why they have much in common, and recommends ways that foundations can encourage and support a shared dialogue between the two groups.

    Order printed copies of this publication here.

  • Perspectives 2005 Summer

    The inaugural issue of this series of commentaries features the remarks of Gara LaMarche, then vice president and director of U.S. Programs, Open Society Institute (he is now President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies). LaMarche discusses the challenges and opportunities of promoting immigrants rights in today's political environment and warns that negative impacts will await the nation if we choose to disregard or ignore our history.

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