The South Asian Legal Defense Fund is committed to addressing gender-based violence by advocating for legal protections and dignity for clients, and challenging the systemic barriers they face in seeking justice. We provide support for the development of a referral network cultivation for the organizations already serving our survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based harm. Our work seeks to ensure that survivors have access to the resources needed to rebuild their lives free from violence.

We champion the rights of South Asian workers facing exploitation, wage theft, and unsafe working conditions. We fight for fair labor practices by supporting vulnerable workers and by advocating for stronger labor protections. Our focus on economic justice includes pushing for policy changes that address income inequality and protect the rights of low-wage workers and their families. We especially are proud to center those in sectors like the restaurant and food service industry, taxi and rideshare driving, domestic work, construction & manual labor, and healthcare support roles.

The South Asian Legal Defense Fund actively combats racialized Islamophobia that disproportionately targets South Asian communities. Racialized Islamophobia refers to discrimination, prejudice, and hate crimes directed at Muslims and individuals who are perceived to be Muslim based on their appearance, ethnicity, or cultural practices, as well as other stereotyped presumptions*. We work to dismantle policies that criminalize, surveil, and marginalize individuals based on their religion and ethnicity. We also strive to educate the public and policymakers about the harmful effects of Islamophobia, advocating for a more just and inclusive society.

*People of non-Muslim backgrounds who often face racialized Islamophobia include Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians and more broadly may be from non-South Asian racial backgrounds as well, including those who are of Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab heritage.

Our commitment to civil liberties includes advocating for the rights of individuals within the criminal justice system and defending families facing deportation or separation. This includes post-conviction relief, family defense cases, and challenges to unlawful detention. We work to ensure that the civil rights of South Asians are protected, especially in the face of harsh immigration policies and biased legal practices.

In times of crisis, the South Asian Legal Defense Fund mobilizes quickly to provide assistance and advocacy to those in urgent need. Whether responding to hate crimes, immigration raids, or sudden policy changes, our rapid response efforts are designed to protect the rights and dignity of South Asian communities. We collaborate with other organizations to offer immediate legal support, public advocacy, and community education to mitigate harm and ensure a coordinated defense against emerging threats to our communities nationwide.