Jasmine Rivera: Leading the Fight for Immigrant Rights in Pennsylvania

Since 2009, Jasmine Rivera has been a relentless advocate for immigrant rights, championing policies that protect and uplift vulnerable communities. From her early days organizing against injustices in Philadelphia to her most recent success—passing the nation’s first law banning private medical deportations—Jasmine’s work along with the community has transformed the landscape for immigrant families.

Now at the helm of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) as its Executive Director, Jasmine leads a statewide network of over 60 organizations committed to advancing immigrant rights, fostering social integration, and advocating for equitable policies. Her leadership is steeped in collaboration, diversity, and centering immigrant voices in decision-making processes.

Jasmine’s identity as the daughter of Mexican immigrants and her upbringing in Maricopa County, Arizona, during Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s tenure, profoundly shaped her passion for social justice. These early experiences of witnessing systemic racism and anti-immigrant policies sparked a lifelong commitment to activism.

“Growing up in such a hostile environment and later moving to Philadelphia, I saw firsthand how communities of color are targeted and marginalized,” Jasmine recalls. Over the years, her work has expanded to include advocacy for Black, Latino, Asian Pacific Islander, and white immigrant communities, reflecting the diversity of Pennsylvania’s immigrant population.

Jasmine’s career exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots organizing. While working with organizations like Juntos and the Shut Down Berks Coalition, she spearheaded critical victories for immigrant families. In collaboration with then Juntos activist Miguel Andrade, she was instrumental in advancing Philadelphia’s ICE Holds Policy, which curtailed local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE, preventing unjust detentions and deportations. This groundbreaking policy became a central narrative in Kristal Sotomayor’s documentary short,

Expanding Sanctuary.

Another landmark success was the closure of the Berks County Detention Center in January 2023. This facility illegally detained immigrant families, violating both federal and state laws. “Shutting down Berks wasn’t just a local win,” Jasmine explains. “It was a national challenge to ICE’s broader detention practices, proving that local fights can ripple out to create broader Change.”

Stepping into the Executive Director role at PIC has been both a privilege and a daunting responsibility for Jasmine. She acknowledges the current climate of rampant xenophobia and the looming threat of another Trump administration as urgent challenges. “Immigrants are scapegoated for systemic issues, but we know the real culprits are corporate greed and systemic inequality,” she says.

Jasmine and her team at PIC are proactively working to dismantle the infrastructure that enables such injustices, from ending local law enforcement collaborations with ICE to advocating for humane immigration policies. They have also outlined 22 actionable steps for the Biden administration to mitigate harm before January 20, 2025.

In a time of escalating threats to immigrant rights, Jasmine’s leadership is a beacon of hope and action. Her efforts extend beyond policy wins; they aim to change narratives and inspire collective action. Initiatives like the “Queremos Justicia: How We Shut Down Berks” and “Indivisible: A Celebration of Immigrants, Refugees, and the Pursuit of Freedom” exhibitions highlight the resilience and contributions of immigrant communities.

Jasmine’s vision emphasizes the importance of diverse roles in the movement. “Not everyone has to be on the frontlines,” she says. “Artists, caregivers, cooks—everyone has something to contribute. There’s no hierarchy in activism; every action matters.”

As Jasmine leads PIC through these challenging times, her focus remains steadfast on protecting immigrant families and fostering unity. She calls on allies to get involved, whether by volunteering, donating, or amplifying immigrant voices. “Together, we can build the world we deserve,” she concludes.

Jasmine Rivera’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a belief in the power of collective action. Her work is a reminder that when communities come together, they can create lasting change.