TAKE ACTION resources

What is advocacy?

Advocacy is the process of getting from point A to point B. The job of the advocate is to develop the right strategy to successfully get from where we are to where we want to go.

Reminders about advocacy work:

• There is always a way.

• We are part of, not separate from, the system.

• Change requires risk & discomfort.

• Everything is connected – think of advocacy as a row of dominoes.

How do I EFFECTIVELY talk AND WRITE about immigration?

The words and stories we use when addressing topics of immigration are often just as important as the actions themselves. This is especially true in the face of de-humanizing, racist, and false rhetoric commonly used in the media and political discourse.

See the resources below for tips on how to be the most effective advocate for immigrant justice.

Resources:

• The Opportunity Agenda: Five Tips: How to Avoid Common Myths About Immigration

• The Opportunity Agenda: Talking About Immigrants and the Criminal Justice System

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: Tips for Talking About Immigration

who are MAine’s u.s. senators and Representatives and how do I contact them?

I live in Maine. Who are my state and local elected officials?

Changes in immigration law and policy can only occur on the federal/national level, but there are many decisions in state and local government that impact the lives of immigrants.

There are elected officials who represent you in the Maine State Legislature and in local government. Your elected officials are determined by where you live.

I do not live in Maine. How can I find my elected officials?

If you live elsewhere in the United States, check out the resources below to find your elected officials and how to contact them.

Resources:

• Common Cause

• BallotReady

• Elected Officials & Districts

• Ballotpedia

How do I reach my elected officials?

You can reach out by phone, email, social media, and postal mail. If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, provide your name and address. This can help ensure a response from the person you are contacting and is sometimes used to verify that you live and vote in their district.

Please note: Elected officials represent all of us, regardless of immigration status. Non-citizens and citizens alike can contact elected officials, but please make the decision that is right for you. You do not need to identify your immigration status when sharing your message. If you are a noncitizen, feel free to leave out your name and address or only use your first name or city/town you live in.

How do I engage in the Maine legislative process?

Your voice and participation are integral to the state legislative process. Committee hearings are on the full calendar on the Maine State Legislature website (this will show you each event by the day), or you can go to the committee calendar to find hearings by issue area.

To submit testimony on a bill in writing or in person via zoom, the testimony portal is available. You can also watch the committee hearings live or catch up on them later here on YouTube.

Resources:

• Maine Women’s Lobby: Take Action

How do I write a letter to the editor or op-ed for a newspaper?

Opinion-editorials (op-eds) or letters to the editor can be powerful advocacy tools to raise your voice and perspectives to a broad public audience and your elected officials. You can submit op-eds and letters to the editor to be considered for publication in newspapers.

Newspapers in Maine include the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, Lewiston Sun Journal, Central Maine, Amjambo Africa, and Maine Beacon among others.

Resources:

• Maine Equal Justice: How to Write a Letter to the Editor

• Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition: Writing an op-ed

• Maine Trust for Local News:

  • Write an op-ed for the Maine Trust for Local News

  • Letters to the Editor

Need inspiration? Check this 2025 Bangor Daily News op-ed written by an ILAP community member.

How do I submit a public comment to a federal agency?

A public comment provides an important opportunity for anyone, not just lawmakers, to participate in shaping and refining laws. During a public comment period, you can submit a comment to the U.S. government about a proposed rule or regulation being considered by a federal agency. The length of public comment periods varies.

Resources:

• Boundless: How to Submit a Public Comment to a Federal Agency