ICIRR Summit 2026
A mixed gathering of approximately 100 organizers and volunteers participated in the 2026 ICIRR Summit on February 14. Appropriately, this year’s theme was Radical Love, Resistance, and Resilience. AFIRE joined its coalition partners with a contingent of seven, including members of the Organizing Komité, the organizing committee launched in 2025.
Summit participants were asked at one point to introduce themselves to a neighbor and talk about what radical love and resistance meant to them. For AFIRE volunteer Mae, “To me, it’s just like community, showing concern and care for your community; part of me feels like why shouldn’t we be doing that? With the way things are these days, it seems like caring about someone who is not a family or friend is unusual, but we all live in the same city, we’re all here, you cross paths with anyone, why would it be unusual to show any care or concerns for others, or even to fight for someone else’s rights.”
Speakers presented throughout the morning, sharing information about various campaigns and legislative proposals from ICIRR’s 2026 legislative platform. With the legislative session in full swing, this was a moment for pan-Asian organizations and elected officials to raise awareness and get people excited about the current platform.
Breakout discussion groups were held in the afternoon as opportunities for more conversations in smaller settings. For AFIRE organizers and volunteers joining the summit for the first time, some clarity around the breakout groups would’ve been welcome.
A big takeaway for AFIRE volunteer Josephine Mallari was that “It’s not a free-for-all; seeing so many orgs in one place confirmed that everyone’s working toward the same thing; we’re not doing the same thing, but we’re all there, we’re all for the same cause, same purpose.” Listening to the speakers (and there were many!), JJosephine was reminded, “Community organizing takes time. When you can make something of something, it’s great, the little wins are actually big wins.”
Speakers presented on a number of proposals included in ICIRR’s legislative platform. Legislation that supports our immigrant families and communities remains a priority for AFIRE.
