Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

Perspectives by Elica Vafaie

Elica Vafaie Read Elica’s Bio

Elica Vafaie Program Director, Immigrant Rights

Elica leads the Fund’s strategies and partnerships to build the power and amplify the voices of immigrants to find safety, opportunity, and representation in California and nationwide.

Perspectives That Match Filter Criteria

Group photo of ABIC members, partners, and advocates

Building Broad Alliances for Pro-Immigrant Change

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Business Coalition Joins with Labor, Immigrant Rights Groups to Build Momentum

The American Business Immigration Coalition is a partnership of 1,700 CEOs and employers across 21 states who are committed to common-sense immigration solutions.

In August, the Biden administration announced an executive order, Keeping Families Together, providing a legal pathway for eligible undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens. Estimates suggest that the prog…

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Photo of a demonstrator whose shirt reads "Every Student, Every Worker, Every Person Deserves an Equal Opportunity to Succeed" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Pathway to Opportunity Beyond DACA

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Students Across California Mobilize for Jobs, Work Authorization

The Opportunity for All campaign is breaking new legal ground so undocumented students can get hired for campus jobs with or without DACA status.

Jenny Kim graduated from UC Irvine in 2020 and will enroll in the fall in UCLA’s Master of Public Policy program. But Kim’s path through college and her journey to a secure and stable life and career have been compl…

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Kica Matos photographed speaking at an event

“Trust Us to Find a Way”

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Talking to Kica Matos of the National Immigration Law Center

In 2023, Kica was selected to lead NILC, a national leader in the work of advancing and protecting the rights of immigrants with low incomes.

After growing up in Puerto Rico and living in Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, and other places where her father was posted for the United Nations, Kica Matos ended up in New York City for graduate school. She said she wa…

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Masih Fouladi photographed speaking at an event

“Build Our Power”

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Talking to Masih Fouladi of the California Immigrant Policy Center

In 2023, Masih joined as executive director of CIPC, one of the state’s most accomplished and storied immigrant rights nonprofits.

Masih Fouladi became executive director of longtime Haas, Jr. Fund grantee partner the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) in the fall of 2023. An immigrant from Iran, he brings a heartfelt commitment to equit…

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Iliana Perez photographed speaking on an event panel

“Hear Our Stories”

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Talking to Iliana G. Perez of Immigrants Rising

In 2023, Iliana was named executive director of Immigrants Rising, a leader in changing policies and systems to support undocumented people to thrive.

Iliana G. Perez, Ph.D., immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Mexico when she was eight. After growing up in California’s Central Valley, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in…

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Closeup of a demonstrator during a Health4All rally

Persuasion is Possible

| by Elica Vafaie in Immigrant Rights

Taking a Look at the Immigrant Strategic Messaging Project (ISMP)

The California Immigrant Policy Center developed the ISMP between 2017 and 2021—one of the most far-reaching immigration messaging research projects in the country.

Undocumented immigrants in California historically were excluded from government healthcare programs. But today California has the most expansive healthcare program for undocumented older adults in the nation—all be…

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