Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

AALDEF promotes and protects the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining llitigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

Our strategies include:

1) educating Asian Americans about their legal rights through multilingual educational materials and other legal resources and free legal advice clinics

2) advocating for policies that address the problems of low-income Asian Americans and new immigrants;

3) providing legal resources to community-based organizations and facilitating grassroots community organizing efforts;

4) litigating cases that have major impacts on the Asian American community.

AALDEF has a 14-person staff, including seven lawyers, who are assisted by over 300 volunteers, including pro bono attorneys, community workers, and students.

AALDEF receives financial support from foundations, corporations, individual donations, and special events.

We have accomplished major legal victories on behalf of Asian American workers, tenants, trafficking survivors. There is greater public awareness about the myth of Asian Americans as a "model minority" and the need to address issues of poverty and discrimination against various Asian ethnic groups.

Unfortunately, we have also seen a roll back in civil rights and new executive actions and policies that discriminate against immigrants and communities of color. We are committed to using the legal system to enforce the civil rights of Asian Americans and all Americans and to work with community groups to educate individuals about their legal rights.