Advocacy
Building stronger communities through advocacy at every level of government
About Advocacy
Our volunteers work with city, state and federal agencies and elected officials to advocate for people seeking guidance or help.
This includes Phoenix's Community Transparency Initiative and support through Congressional, Senate, state, Governor and Attorney General offices. Policy change is community change.
Advocacy in the Media
When a family member was detained by ICE, Sam spoke out publicly — sharing her family's experience with news crews to help others understand what families go through and why advocacy matters.
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Advocacy in Action
Meeting with members of Congress
Sam and Billie "Blue," founding members of Mandy's Project, met with Congresswoman Sarah McBride and Congressman Greg Stanton alongside Sonia Almaraz, whose partner — a man living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia — is currently held in ICE detention. Their meeting was a direct appeal to elected officials to intervene on behalf of families torn apart by immigration enforcement, and to shine a light on the human cost of detaining people with serious medical conditions.
Advocacy in Action
Working with the City of Phoenix
Sam and Jeremy, founding members of Mandy's Project, have been active participants in the City of Phoenix's Community Transparency Initiative (CTI) — working directly with the City Manager's Office, the Chief of Police's Office, and the Phoenix Police Department's Community Engagement Bureau to develop programs that protect and serve all people living in or visiting Phoenix, regardless of immigration status.
This unique relationship has helped foster meaningful, lasting change. We are proud to share that through this collaboration, the City of Phoenix is now placing Know Your Rights information and resources throughout Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — in restrooms and information centers, alongside existing signage about human trafficking. These signs reach travelers and community members at one of the busiest airports in the country, helping educate people about the constitutional rights that belong to every person in the United States, regardless of status.
This is what community advocacy looks like in practice — not just speaking at a podium, but sitting at the table, building trust, and turning that trust into policy that protects real people.
Legal Advocacy in Action
A Father Meets His Son — 51 Days Later
Four days before his wife was due to give birth to their first child, this father was taken into immigration detention without due process. A Mandy's Project volunteer drove his wife to the hospital, stayed through labor, and cut the cord when their son was born.
For 51 days, he was held in an immigration detention center — a civil matter, not a criminal one — while our volunteers provided housing support, food, clothing, and rides to every appointment. Our team also helped write his immigration bond package and a habeas corpus petition — a legal challenge asserting that his detention was unconstitutional.
He was released. These photos are from the day he finally held his son for the first time.
How You Can Help
Advocacy work is powered by people willing to show up, speak up, and stay engaged.
Volunteer Your Time
- Attend city council and government meetings
- Contact Congressional and Senate offices on behalf of community members
- Help draft letters and communications to elected officials
Spread the Word
- Share advocacy resources with your networks
- Attend community events and rallies
- Encourage others to contact their representatives
Support Advocacy
Change happens when communities show up together. Add your voice to ours.
Get Involved