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By Arthur Chang CHIRLA: Protecting Immigrant Rights I decided to research an organization CHIRLA because I was attracted to the positive connotations and implications of what it represented: The Coalition For Humane Immigrant Rights and Legal Assistance. I liked how the title emphasizes the rights of immigrants as a whole instead of one particular ethnicity. Information about CHIRLA was extremely easy to find. I didn't even have to leave the comforts of my own home. That is to say, all the information was found on the internet. Founded in 1986, CHIRLA was designed to advance human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees in L.A. What was really impressive about CHIRLA is that it boasts the only multiethnic coalition in Los Angeles that unites all immigrant communities so issues regarding both immigrants and non-immigrants. What I found was very interesting is that CHIRLA provides a meeting place for over 125 organizations throughout Southern California, a lot of which are also listed on the homework assignment sheet. But I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising, considering the general nature of the organizations name. That is to say it is difficult to accomplish CHIRLA's huge goal without the aid of organizations that promote specific needs for specific ethnic communities. How ironic that the very reason I selected this organization -- for its ability to include everyone -- yet, it still does not stray away from organizations that focus on a specific ethnic community. That is to say both organizations need each other in order to function more smoothly. In order for the organization to run more smoothly, CHIRLA divides their groups into task forces that deal with specific issues. One important task force is the Citizenship Committee. They played an important roll in improving the INS·s delivery of services to the community. Other task forces include the Day Laborer Organizing Project, the Domestic Workers Project, the Legal Services Committee, Community Response Task Force, Accion Pro Immigrante, CHIRLA Media Work, Service Coordination, Training and Technical Assistance and Community Outreach and Education. Upon further reflection, I am glad that I did my research on CHIRLA because it made me realize that the organizations which promote specific ethnic communities actually contribute to the whole picture. The whole picture meaning racial harmony between all ethnic communities. (Arthur Chang is a Junior majoring in Philosophy.)