Our Focus
Our National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights Program advocates for the workplace rights of persons who face discrimination because of their ethnicity or the parts of the world they have migrated from. We do this through litigation, policy work, and community education.
Among other things, our cases have challenged discrimination against workers because of their ethnic identity, the languages they speak or their level of English language proficiency, their religion or their citizenship status. We represent undocumented workers, who have virtually the same legal rights as all employees but whose employers threaten them for asserting those rights, including by reporting them to ICE. We sue to stop and remedy employer practices that appear to be even-handed but, in reality, fall the hardest on immigrant workers and workers of color.
In addition to bringing cases in federal and state court, our program works to achieve progress through legislative action, and by working with governmental agencies to make policy changes that strengthen and expand the rights of immigrant workers and workers of color. We also conduct Know Your Rights trainings for workers, nonprofit organizations and social service providers, and create educational materials designed for use by workers and their advocates. Through our Language Rights Helpline, we provide free information and advice to workers experiencing language discrimination.
Highlights of Our Work
Roundup of Press Coverage of our $1M Settlement for Worker who Had Immigration Called on him in Retaliation for Asserting his Workplace Rights
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After LAAW’s Advocacy Efforts, Federal Court Recognizes Undocumented Worker’s Basic Right to Obtain Relief for Unlawful Employment Practices
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5 things workers should know about possible ICE arrests
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Partners
