Who We Are

The Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition is a collection of Athens-based groups with a shared goal of asserting justice for Athens area immigrants, regardless of legal status.

AIRC formed in 2011 in direct response to a crackdown by the Georgia State Legislature on undocumented immigrants in the state. These “Juan Crow” laws, HB 87 and SB 59, made life extremely difficult for hard-working immigrant communities, and also made it a criminal act to employ, transport, or give shelter to an undocumented person.

Since then, AIRC has worked to support and empower immigrant families affected by these and other discriminatory policies — and to have those policies removed. Our members organize rallies, workshops, and festivals, form Rapid Response teams to alert and protect families targeted by ICE, and provide emergency financial and emotional support to those who are left in crisis by deportations and detentions.

Donations collected through this website go to Support to Immigrant Families in Crisis (SIFIC), a member of the AIRC that provides financial and other assistance to local immigrant households. SIFIC’s current fiscal sponsor is U-Lead, a 501(c)3 registered in the state of Georgia. Donations to SIFIC are reported as income by U-Lead and qualify as tax deductible.