Press Releases | Media Mentions | Action Alerts | Events & Workshops

The Chicago Activist, Issue #538

CAIR-Chicago's Newsletter

Table of Contents:

1. Ramadan Wrap-Up
2. Civil Rights Digest
3. In the Press
4. 2025 Travel Advice
5. KYR & Essential Resources
6. Our News

Reflecting on Ramadan: Gratitude, Impact & the Road Ahead

Eid Mubarak! To the dozen+ masajid that welcomed us and every supporter who engaged with our work—thank you! 💛

As a 100% community-funded effort, your generosity fuels our fight for justice and civil rights. We can only do this together. 🤲🏽

May Allah bless and multiply your rewards. JazakAllah Khair for being part of our Ramadan journey, may we Insha'Allah see you next year! ✨

There’s still time to give! Continue your support at cairchicago.org/ramadan!

Join Our Team!

Civil Rights Dept. Hiring a Staff Attorney

CAIR-Chicago is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our Civil Rights Department and help fight against discrimination and hate crimes.

To apply please send a Cover Letter, Writing Samples (limited to 15 pages), and Resume to Legal Director, Heena Musabji at hmusabji@cair.com

Seeking Civil Rights Law Clerks!

Are you a law student, law graduate, paralegal student, or pre-law college student seeking to gain valuable, hands on experience in Civil Rights law? Apply for an internship or clerkship with our Civil Rights department today!

We are currently accepting applications for the Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 sessions.

If you are interested in applying, send your resume, cover letter, and a legal writing sample to Legal Director, Heena Musabji at hmusabji@cair.com

To find out more about our internship program and how to apply, please visit our Intern Center

Traveling Soon? Know Your Rights and Register Your Flight BEFORE You Go!

A 17-year-old Pakistani student arrived in the U.S. on an F-1 visa but was detained upon landing at O’Hare airport and taken to a juvenile detention facility downstate. Now facing removal proceedings, this case is a cautionary tale—don’t wait until it’s too late!

If you are Muslim or Muslim-perceived and concerned that new 2025 travel restrictions could impact your travel, fill out our encrypted online form with your flight details before you travel, and we’ll connect you with an on-the-ground lawyer to track your flight and provide immediate legal assistance if needed.

If you have not filled out the form 24 hours before your travel and require immediate assistance, text (630) 930-2987 with the traveller’s:

• Full name
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Travel details
• Visa details
• A contact person’s details

For EMERGENCIES AT THE AIRPORT ONLY please text (630) 930-2987

For questions, email Legal Director: hmusabji@cair.com

As we navigate the new Trump administration and see an intensified ICE presence throughout Chicagoland, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and protect yourself—and your fellow community members.

That’s why we’ve launched our Know Your Rights & Essential Resources web portal, a one-stop guide to handling ICE raids, protests, law enforcement encounters, and more. Whether you're an immigrant concerned about deportation or a protester defending your First Amendment rights, this page provides critical legal and community support at your fingertips.

What’s Inside?

✅ Immigrant Rights Center – Access legal aid for refugee/asylum and immigration cases

✅ Know Your Rights (KYR) Guides – Learn how to deal with ICE at home, work, or in public spaces. Request a KYR Workshop.

✅ Printable KYR Cards & One-Pagers – Available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Bangla, Urdu, Farsi, Pashto, Punjabi, Nepali, Hindi, Russian, Tagalog, and more!

Click here for ILRC's Red Cards