Arizona Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Support
About ACIRS
The Arizona Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Support (ACIRS) was launched in January 2025 to build community support for this at-risk population for exploitation and trafficking. ACIRS was formed and is jointly overseen by the Arizona Labor Trafficking Outreach (ALTO) Project and Alas Phoenix.
Our Mission
ACIRS is a multidisciplinary coalition committed to finding creative, community-driven solutions that ensure continued support and services for immigrant and refugee communities across Arizona.
Why We Formed
ACIRS was established in response to policy changes that affected federally funded programs. These shifts have increased existing vulnerabilities, introduced new barriers, and added challenges for communities already facing limited access to resources and support.
Coalition Members
ACIRS is made up a diverse network of members, including lived experience experts, established non-profit and for-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and independent practitioners in law, medicine, mental health, and social work. The coalition includes researchers, volunteers, student interns, and local businesses who are aligned with ACIRS’s mission to uplift and protect immigrant and refugee communities.
ACIRS Goals
Reduce vulnerability to exploitation, adversity, and trauma among immigrant and refugee communities
Empower immigrant and refugee populations through access to resources, information, and community support.
Support and strengthen service providers working alongside immigrant and refugee populations by offering tools, collaboration, and training.
Our Approach
ACIRS centers on a community-driven, trauma-informed approach rooted in trust-building, transparency, and equity. The coalition brings together service providers, community leaders, legal experts, and advocates to foster open dialogue and share timely information. By creating space for lived experience and frontline perspectives, ACIRS ensures that it’s strateigies reflect the immediate and systemic based needs of immigrant and refugee communities. The coalition is committed to collaboration, amplifying existing work, supporting capacity-building, and fostering sustainable, long-term partnerships.
Contact Us
Interested in joining the coalition or learning more? We welcome community partners, volunteers, and individuals with lived experience who are committed to empowering the immigrant and refugee communities across Arizona.