Lyft 4 July Announcement: U.S. Immigration Commitments in San Diego

America is a nation of immigrants. Every one of us has a hand in defining what it means to be American. And equal access to this country is vital to pushing America’s progress forward, just as it has been for our entire history. Today, Lyft announced partnerships and actions as part of its ongoing commitments supporting organizations that champion immigrant causes in the United States:

 

• Lyft will be donating $200,000 toward U.S. immigration groups and through Round Up & Donate to support RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)  

In the next six months, Lyft will be providing $150,000 in ride credits to support immigration groups across the country, including Minority Humanitarian Foundation in the Spring Valley neighborhood of San Diego. Starting on July 1 and for the entire month, through Round Up & Donate, Lyft will match rider donations, and commit to up to $50,000 to RAICES in support of the services it offers immigrant individuals and families in need.

• Lyft is sharing driver stories through a new film series

 

The series features a collection of interactive films, photography and long-form storytelling representing real issues immigrants face in the United States, as these individuals and families are the fabric of civic life. Mark Lane, a San Diego driver, is prominently featured and all films can be seen at www.Lyft.com/immigration.

 

• Lyft has supported dozens of frontline immigration groups across the country 

 

Last July, Lyft partnered with 50 immigration organizations across the country to provide free rides for immigrants and refugees, including International Rescue Committee in San Diego. In 2017, in response to the Muslim Ban, Lyft committed $1 million to the ACLU to help with more than 200 legal actions to protect immigrant rights. To date, Lyft riders have raised more than $3 million for the ACLU through Round Up & Donate.
For more information please visit Lyft’s official announcement: https://blog.lyft.com/posts/immigration-rights

Please see quotes below on behalf of Lyft and its partners, including Erika Andiola, Chief Advocacy Officer, RAICES; Mike Masserman, head of social impact at Lyft; and Mark Lane, founder of the local Minority Humanitarian Foundation.

 

Erika Andiola, Chief Advocacy Officer, RAICES

“Transportation is a game changer for so many of the immigrants and refugees we support. All the different processes that are needed to help people stay in this country, whether to fight for status or asylum, and to show up in court and at consultations, requires the ability to move around. Understanding this need, Lyft has been a valuable partner for us in the last year. We’re excited to now have the potential support of millions of Lyft riders through Round Up & Donate to further expand the impact we can have.”

 

Mike Masserman, head of social impact at Lyft

“At Lyft, we have an incredibly diverse community of riders, drivers and employees, and are dedicated to upholding our commitment to inclusivity. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services over the last year to help eliminate transportation barriers for those in need – providing free rides to legal consultations, court appointments and emergency shelters. Now, we’re excited to make it easy for our riders to support the important work they’re doing too, by adding RAICES to Round Up & Donate.”

 

Mark Lane, founder, Minority Humanitarian Foundation (San Diego-based)

“I started driving with Lyft because it afforded me with the opportunity to continue doing my work with migrants and refugees, as well as helped to pay the bills. Last year, as the immigration crisis got worse, we started using Lyft to move our migrant families around in different states, getting them to their court dates, doctor appointments, school, etc. Our partnership with Lyft is one of the most important partnerships our organization has. When it’s 3 a.m. and you are standing on the street with 29 stranded refugees and you have to figure out how to transport them, it’s very difficult. Now, we line up Lyft cars and can have them safely and quickly moved from the street to a host family or hotel.”