An important update from Laura Hernández, FFI’s Executive Director

 

En español

December 13, 2023

Dear friend,

I’m writing today to share an important update from Freedom for Immigrants. As you may know, FFI has undergone many transitions and key moments over the past few years. Our co-founders transitioned away from the organization. We marked our 10th anniversary with a celebration in Los Angeles. I joined as our new Executive Director, and soon after, Mich González joined as our new Associate Executive Director. 

These changes have helped us look inward, reflect on where we’ve been, and dream about where we want to go. 

To complete our organizational transformation, FFI will be in a state of “chrysalis” from January to April 2024, during which we will pause much of our external and programmatic work. In the meantime, you’ll continue to receive important updates from us. 

You may be asking yourself, what’s a chrysalis, anyways? Chrysalis refers to a transitional, sheltered state of being or growth. It’s the stage and protective form that caterpillars take on before emerging as free flying butterflies. 

As we continue to reimagine our organization from the ground up, the FFI team will turn inward for a season of reflection, regeneration, and preparation. These three months will provide us the space to vision for the next chapter of FFI with intention and care. 

We look forward to returning with a renewed purpose, theory of change, and strategic plan that will enable us to more meaningfully contribute to the abolition movement. In order to meet the moment and build the powerful, people-powered organization we know we can be, we’re radically shifting the way we work, including the ways in which we’ll engage and build community power with our valued supporters like yourself. 

While we’re excited for what’s to come, this is not a decision we made lightly. In the midst of rising detention numbers nationwide, the 2024 presidential election looming large, and the continued unmet needs of our communities, our movement faces unrelenting challenges. 

Yet abolition teaches us the importance of transformation — of systems, communities, and each one of us. In line with our commitment to these abolitionist and anti-racism values, our chrysalis period will allow us time to prepare and plant the seeds of resistance necessary to take on the challenges of 2024 and beyond. 

We greatly appreciate your continued partnership as we complete this important phase of our work, and we look forward to introducing our new mission and vision with you soon! 

In solidarity,

Laura Hernandez
Executive Director
Freedom for Immigrants