Self Help Housing Program in California's Central Valley. Terry Foss / AFSC
From our origins during World War I, AFSC has been committed to opening hearts and communities to refugees and migrants. Decades of work in regions plagued by war, drought, famine, and economic oppression have given us an up-close view of the economic and political drivers of migration.
These ideas influence our work today, as we document abuses, provide legal services, accompany migrant and immigrant movements, and build alliances with others who share our vision for a world where all people have the power to determine where they live and the opportunity to thrive.
1920s
Opposing xenophobia
Cover of the 1925 brochure, published by AFSC.
"Message to the American People on Japan," published and distributed by AFSC in 1925.
AFSC spoke out against the racist U.S. Immigration Act of 1924, which barred immigration from Asia. Our publication “Exclusion: Its Cause and Cure” outlined the roots of racism and noted the contributions that Japanese Americans had made to the U.S. economy.
1930s
Assisting refugees
The store-room in the Friends Meeting House at 15th and Cherry Street, Philadelphia.
Spanish refugee children being fed during the Spanish Civil War.
Child feeding program during the Spanish Civil War.
Child feeding program during the Spanish Civil War.
AFSC officially begins the Refugee Services division. We were the first U.S. organization to provide relief to refugees on both sides of the conflict during the Spanish Civil War. Later, we helped thousands of children and families escape Nazi persecution during World War II.
1940s
Standing against Japanese internment
Relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Farm Security Administration migrant labor camp at Twin Falls, Idaho, a resettlement location for Japanese Americans.
AFSC was one of the few U.S. organizations to oppose the internment of Japanese Americans. We also visited and provided aid to people interned. We established two programs to get people out of camps, eventually securing the release of more than 4,000 individuals.
1950s
Organizing with farmworkers
1965 AFSC film that chronicles an AFSC housing project led by farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley.
Self Help Housing in California's Central Valley. Terry Foss / AFSC
Self Help Housing in California's Central Valley. Terry Foss / AFSC
Pablo Espinoza of Proyecto Campesino, Central Valley, California. Terry Foss / AFSC
Terry Foss / AFSC
AFSC’s partnership with migrant farmworkers began with the demand to eliminate tinshack housing and improve basic services. Later, AFSC helped create the United Farm Workers, providing meeting places, collecting funds for strikers, and paying the chief union negotiator’s salary.
1970s - 1980s
Solidarity with Latin America
AFSC staff member Angie Berryman. Eva Gold
Central American Refugee report, 1983, authored by Angie Berryman.
When popular movements rose up in Central America in the 1970s and ‘80s, governments responded with brutality. AFSC’s staff on the ground brought the brutality and U.S. involvement to light. We coordinated with faith communities in the U.S. to offer sanctuary to refugees.
1990s - 2000s
Organizing and Community Work
Arturo leaves sanctuary in 2015 after nine months, accompanied by the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition, coordinated by AFSC. Joe Deras
Family and friends of Anastasio Hernández lead a protest and vigil at the San Ysidro port of entry on the third anniversary of his death at the hands of CBP/Border Patrol. Slobodan Dimitrov
We strengthened and connected immigrant-led organizing through leadership training and community initiatives and united this work through a strategy which laid out principles for achieving comprehensive immigration reform.
2010s
Supporting migrants on the move
The Love Knows No Borders week of action started with a massive event at the San Diego Border Field State Park. Pedro Rios / AFSC
Interfaith activists walked from the parking lot down the mile and a half trail to the border wall. Vanessa Cecena / AFSC
Many risked arrest and were arrested in protest of the border and treatment of migrants. Wambui Gichobi / Survival Media Agency
As large groups of migrants traveled north from Central America, AFSC provided them with humanitarian support and human rights monitoring. We rallied 400 people to the U.S.-Mexico border for our “Love Knows Borders” action, which was named “the most valuable protest of the year” by The Nation.
