Advocacy
Every day we work with our partners and coalition members, seeking to reform America’s complex and challenging immigration system. CIRC pushes for policy reform through direct appeals to our state and federal representatives, grassroots activism, legal forums, and public awareness media campaigns.
Since its establishment in 1996, CIRC has been committed to protecting the rights and promoting the economic development of refugee and immigrant communities in the state of Connecticut. In pursuit of these goals, CIRC has evolved and expanded over the past 26 years to meet the current needs of the community through advocacy and direct support, tackling issues such as assisting elderly legal immigrants to obtain citizenship, allowing driver licenses and in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants, and gaining access to HUSKY for immigrants up to age 12 regardless of immigration status. In the past year, in partnership with JFS Greenwich, CIRC also worked to successfully resettled two Afghan families in Greater Hartford. CIRC also spearheaded additional initiatives this year, including the Sewing for Success social enterprise. This increased focus on providing services to refugees and immigrants, also informs CIRC’s advocacy efforts.
In working toward a more connected community, CIRC arranged a co-sponsorship soccer game with Hartford Athletic in celebration of the refugee and immigrant community. Through this partnership, CIRC is granted 200 free tickets annually, allowing immigrants to experience a free sporting event and giving children an opportunity to meet some of the players. Earlier this year CIRC was able to participate alongside United Action CT, HUSKY 4 Immigrants, and Make the Road CT, to advocate for the expansion of HUSKY health insurance for children up to the age of 12, regardless of immigration status. CIRC partnered with various other organization as well and continued to show support in Project $0$ and 4CT, allowing CIRC to provide financial support to those effected by COVID-19 and facing financial difficulty.
CIRC’s History of Advocacy
HUSKY Healthcare for Children
CIRC continued its advocacy of HUSKY health insurance for all immigrant children, regardless of immigration status. Building upon the previous year’s victory of achieving HUSKY for immigrant children up to age 8, with the passage of SB 284, immigrant children up to age 12 are eligible for HUSKY insurance regardless of immigration status. CIRC met with key legislators via Zoom to discuss increasing HUSKY healthcare for kids from age 8 and under to 18 and under. In March 2022, Executive Director Robert Fishman testified in front of the Connecticut Appropriations Committee advocating for the need to expand HUSKY. CIRC also participated in demonstrations for HUSKY outside of the state capitol with member organization United Action CT.
Press Briefings on Afghan Resettlement Efforts
CIRC was invited to participate in a series of press conferences with Senator Blumenthal to discuss updates on the Afghan resettlement efforts. CIRC sponsored six press briefings from August 2021 to January 2022, with two briefings being hosted at CIRC’s office. Robert Fishman represented CIRC, giving statements at each conference advocating for the state of Connecticut to accept its fair share of Afghan refugees and urging Connecticut residents to support resettlement efforts. The press briefings were well represented by CIRC board members, including Werner Oyandel, Susan Schnitzer, Alan Dornan, Chris George, and Dana Bucin, and coalition members including CIRI, IRIS, JFACT, and SAWA.
Sponsored Benefits with Charter Oak Cultural Center
CIRC cosponsored two virtual benefits with the Charter Oak Cultural Center. On October 19, 2021, CIRC was one of two beneficiaries of the virtual fundraiser “Please Don’t Forget About Us”, raising money for Afghan refugees. The virtual program discussed the challenges and hurdles faced by Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. Individuals who were working to resettle Afghan immigrants, as well as Afghan photographer Abdul Saboor who had been capturing heartbreaking images of the country's residents who have suffered under civil war and U.S. occupation for two decades, gave presentations. CIRC raised $1725 towards 3 Humanitarian Parole fees for family members stuck in Afghanistan who desperately want to join their families in the Hartford area. On March 21, 2022, CIRC cosponsored “STANDING WITH UKRAINE: A Benefit Concert” with the Charter Oak Cultural Center. The concert showcased various musical artists and dancers from Ukraine and funds raised went to the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and Razom for Ukraine.
Blumenthal Event at Emanuel Synagogue
Robert Fishman arranged a virtual event with Senator Blumenthal as the main speaker for Emanual Synagogue as a fundraiser for families they co-sponsored with First Church of Farmington. CIRC sought to create an opportunity for our new American neighbors from Muslim countries to experience a meaningful interfaith experience with both Jewish and Christian congregations. CIRC was praised for its ability to organize an impactful interfaith exchange and for the learning experiences of all backgrounds.