Immigration & Civic Engagement
How We Support Civic Engagement & Immigration
We promote informed, non‑partisan civic participation and support community members as they navigate immigration systems and policies that affect African immigrant families. Civic participation means taking part in the collective decisions and public processes that influence our communities—from voting and advocacy to learning about policies that impact our families—and ensuring that Southern African voices are heard. Our work empowers individuals to engage confidently in civic life and understand how they can participate in shaping the world around them, while accessing reliable guidance on immigration‑related matters.
Through initiatives like SAFAIR, partnerships with immigration attorneys, community information sessions, and policy advocacy rooted in the lived experiences of our community, we help ensure that Southern Africans have a voice in shaping the policies that impact them. We also collaborate with immigration organizations, embassies, and encourage civic participation through activities such as voter‑registration booths and informational outreach at the Ubuntu Festival and other community events. Together, these efforts strengthen our community’s ability to participate fully, advocate effectively, and thrive in the United States.
Featured Community Events & Activities
Southern Africans for American Immigration Reform (SAFAIR)
SAFAIR (Southern Africans for American Immigration Reform) is SACU’s initiative dedicated to elevating the voices and experiences of Southern African immigrants in U.S. immigration policy discussions. The program focuses on educating community members about immigration processes, identifying systemic challenges faced by African families, and advocating for reforms that promote fairness, dignity, and family stability. Through community listening sessions, partnerships with immigration attorneys, and policy engagement grounded in lived experiences, SAFAIR helps ensure that Southern Africans are informed, represented, and empowered in shaping immigration policies that affect their lives. Our Facebook platform, SAFAIR, provides information about changes in the immigration system.
Our Impact
Through our activities that support civic engagement, our impact is seen in a more informed, confident, and empowered Southern African community—one where individuals understand their rights, participate meaningfully in civic life, and navigate immigration systems with clarity and support. Through education, advocacy, and community‑driven engagement, we help ensure Southern African voices shape the policies that affect their families and futures.
“The People must be Architects of their own future”
— Sam Nujoma