P.A.S.O. - West Suburban Action Project

Established in 2009, the West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste, or PASO) combines legal services with community organizing and policy advocacy, encouraging immigrants to engage in civic discourse and advocate for their rights. PASO is of the few immigrant-serving organizations in Chicago’s western suburbs, where the immigrant population is growing rapidly. With this award, PASO responds to raids of immigrant communities in the Western suburbs by federal immigration authorities. PASO offers workshops and community education sessions to immigrants, helping them to understand their rights, and trains volunteers to document raids and assist affected families.

The West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste, or PASO) is a grassroots, community-based social justice organization that seeks to empower the immigrant community. It offers legal screening and representation to immigrants and helps educate community members about their rights, regardless of immigration status. With this award, PASO helps communities prepare for the possibility of aggressive immigrant enforcement actions by holding “Know Your Rights” workshops with families, schools, churches, and community leaders.