Immigrants’ Rights Training with Ravi Ragbir

Rutgers University Center for Immigration Law, Justice and Policy held their last community event of the semester with Ravi Ragbir. This event was split up into two parts. In both parts, Ravi opens the audience to a conversation on ICE’s mistreatment of immigrant rights and the appropriate reaction towards that. The first part was a presentation, discussing the current affairs regarding immigrant rights and answering questions from the audience. The second part of the event consisted of Sanctuary Coalition training, in which Ravi discusses actions and strategies to take in creating or strengthen a Sanctuary community.

The event began with an introduction by Professor Rose Cuison Villazor, the director of Rutgers Center for Immigration Law, Justice and Policy. Professor Villazor explores the idea behind sanctuary and introduces Ravi Ragbir, an immigrant rights activist and executive director of the New Sanctuary Coalition.

In his presentation, Ravi criticized ICE’s abuse of authority and discussed his advocacy work. The presentation was incredibly inspirational and empowering. In this, Ravi demands a national call for everyone to stand in solidarity for immigrant rights and to not be a bystander towards the injustice that ICE is committing. Ravi presents his organization, The New Sanctuary Coalition, an immigrant rights organization comprised of a network of congregations, organizations, and individuals.

Based in New York, The New Sanctuary Coalition is currently taking their activism to the border. In the presentation, Ravi calls for a sanctuary caravan in support of the migrants seeking entry with volunteer help. Overall, the event delivered a much-needed conversation we must have regarding ICE and immigrant rights. Ravi and the New Sanctuary Coalition aims to create a welcoming community for their friends and to protect their rights. Throughout this event, each discussant spoke with passion in advocating for the understanding of immigrant rights.