Draft:Asylum Access

Asylum Access

Formation	2005
Founder	Emily Arnold-Fernández
Type	Non-governmental organization
Focus	Refugee rights, legal aid, policy advocacy
Headquarters	Oakland, California, United States
Region served	Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia
Method	Legal representation, community legal empowerment, policy advocacy
Key people	Lisa D'Annunzio
Website	Asylum Access

Asylum Access is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on advancing the legal rights of refugees and people seeking asylum . Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Oakland, California, the organization operates nationally registered offices in Mexico, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The organization provides free legal services, engages in national and international policy advocacy, and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening refugee participation in decision-making processes. It describes its mission as supporting forcibly displaced people in securing justice, safety, and dignity through legal empowerment and systemic reform.

As of 2025, the organization reports having supported more than 157,000 individuals through legal empowerment services and contributing to policy reforms affecting over one million people.

History

Founding and early development (2005–2007)

Asylum Access was founded in 2005 in San Francisco, California, by human rights attorney Emily Arnold-Fernández and a group of lawyers with experience in refugee and international law. The organization began as a small collective and developed a rights-based legal aid model focused on enabling refugees to access domestic legal systems and assert rights related to work, residency, and protection.

In 2007, Asylum Access participated in the Southern Refugee Legal Aid Conference organized on behalf of an NGO–UNHCR working group. A draft framework presented at the conference contributed to the development of the Nairobi Code, an ethical standard for organizations providing legal aid to forcibly displaced people.

Establishing national offices (2007–2014)

In 2007, Asylum Access established national offices in Ecuador and Thailand. In 2009, it expanded to Tanzania. The organization began providing direct legal representation to people seeking asylum and conducting research on domestic asylum systems.

During this period, the organization reports contributing to:

• The issuance of written reasons for asylum rejections in Tanzania;
• The passage of Ecuador’s Human Mobility Law;
• Policy reforms in Thailand concerning the detention of refugee children.

Expansion to Southeast Asia and Latin America (2014–2019)

Between 2014 and 2015, Asylum Access expanded to Malaysia and Mexico.

In Malaysia, the organization began assisting individuals navigating refugee status determination conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In Mexico, it established legal representation programs and later developed the “Ruta de la Hospitalidad” (Hospitality Route), a partnership initiative connecting refugees with employers, educational institutions, and service providers.

In 2018, Asylum Access transitioned its Tanzania office into an independent national organization known as Dignity Kwanza. Its Ecuador operations were also transferred to local actors as part of a localization strategy.

During this period, the organization launched the Global Refugee Work Rights campaign, publishing reports and country scorecards assessing refugees’ legal access to employment.

Emphasis on refugee participation and funding reform (2019–2024)

Beginning in 2019, Asylum Access increased its focus on refugee-led initiatives and participation of displaced persons in governance processes. The organization co-founded the Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative (RRLI), a coalition advocating for direct funding to refugee-led organizations.

National offices during this period reported involvement in advocacy related to:

• Mexico’s 2020 reform prohibiting the detention of migrant and refugee children;
• Thailand’s development and implementation (2020–2023) of a National Screening Mechanism granting temporary legal status to certain displaced persons;
• Litigation and advocacy efforts in Malaysia concerning deportation practices.

Leadership restructuring (2024–present)

In 2024–2025, Asylum Access transitioned from a single chief executive officer model to a shared Executive Leadership Team composed of its global executive director and the executive directors of its national organizations.

Programs

Asylum Access structures its work around legal empowerment, community-based capacity building, and policy advocacy.

Legal services

The organization provides free legal advice and representation to refugees and asylum seekers.

In Malaysia and Thailand, refugee status determination is conducted by UNHCR. Asylum Access assists individuals navigating the UNHCR process and provides support in cases involving detention or risk of deportation.

In Thailand, the organization has engaged with the implementation of the National Screening Mechanism introduced in 2023 to grant temporary protection status to certain groups.

In Mexico, asylum claims are processed by national authorities. Asylum Access Mexico provides legal representation and operates offices in Mexico City, Tijuana, and Villahermosa.

All legal services are provided free of charge.

Community legal empowerment

In addition to individual representation, Asylum Access conducts workshops and training sessions on domestic legal systems, labor protections, and access to services.

Hospitality Route (Mexico)

The “Ruta de la Hospitalidad” (Hospitality Route) is a Mexico-based partnership initiative designed to facilitate refugee access to employment, educational credential recognition, and healthcare services through collaboration with public and private institutions.

Policy and advocacy

Asylum Access engages in national and international advocacy related to refugee protection, work rights, and participation in governance processes.

The organization is a co-founder of the Resourcing Refugee Leadership Initiative and participates in regional networks including the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.

Governance

Asylum Access is governed by a Board of Directors and led by an Executive Leadership Team composed of the executive directors of its national organizations and its global executive director.