Translating Housing Resources for Immigrants
According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, the right to housing is among the most endangered. The report states, “Immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable to a range of human rights violations, including violations of the right to adequate housing. Displaced persons are also particularly vulnerable to discrimination, racism, and xenophobia, which can further interfere with their ability to secure sustainable and adequate living conditions.”
Respond Crisis Translation makes information accessible to as many non-English speakers as possible. To meet our and our partner’s goals, the Lingala, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, and Somali teams worked on translating several resources for our partner Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s clients. The documents contain vital information about eviction and housing for people who settle in the state of Maine, USA. Overall, the documents have 8,039 words!
The documents, which are now available in 7 languages, guide immigrant lessees on renters’ rights, preventing eviction, and knowing your rights (KYR).
At Respond, we refuse to remain silent when language is used as a tool to limit freedom of mobility, and we advocate for systemic reform in the U.S. immigration system to protect the rights of immigrants coming to the U.S. in search of safer and more stable lives.