About Us. Cameroon Advocacy Network

Who We Are

We stand in solidarity with all Black immigrants fighting for liberation.

Committed to advocating for Cameroonians in the U.S., addressing diverse needs.

The Cameroon Advocacy Network unites organizations and activists in the U.S. and Cameroon, advocating for Cameroonians’ freedom, dignity, and a brighter future amid crises, violence, and persecution.

Our unwavering solidarity extends to all Black immigrants striving for liberation. As collective advocates for change, we champion human rights, fostering unity among those seeking refuge.

SEE HOW WE WORK

Our Objectives, Goal & Mission.

What makes us different?

Founded in August 2021, CAN’s focus on blending strategic collaborative advocacy efforts, community organizing, and campaign outreach to unmask the poor treatment of immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, imprisoned often indefinitely under the biased US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention system. Our overarching mission is to secure blanket relief for Cameroonians living in the U.S, as well as those still pursuing their journey of hope.

It is our goal to obtain US protection for Cameroonians fleeing violence, insecurity, persecution, or other human rights abuses in Cameroon. Several concurrent humanitarian crises in Cameroon create serious risks to anyone forced to return. Tens of thousands have fled the country, while over 700,000 people are internally displaced, due to the political and human rights crisis in the country’s Anglophone regions. This crisis has been characterized by widespread violence by government forces and armed separatist groups. In the Far North region, armed conflict and violence by Boko Haram and government security forces has displaced over 300,000 people. Government repression of political opposition and dissent is also an overarching issue in Cameroon.

CAN believes a thriving and stable Cameroonian community requires freedom for all Cameroonians and all. We believe this objection should start with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and include the right to asylum, resettlement assistance, and a path to citizenship, as well as racial, social, and economic justice for all immigrants including those previously and cruelly deported, those who are are internally as well as internationally displaced by the escalating violence in Cameroon.

Safe havens for support

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Good that grows

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Customized programs

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Objectives

  • Temporary Protected Status

    Securing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonians in the U.S.

  • End Detention and Deportation:

    Advocating to end the inhumane detention and deportation of Cameroonians.

  • Reparations and Humanitarian Parole

    Establishing reparations and humanitarian parole for those unjustly deported.

  • Holistic Support

    Providing holistic legal, post-release, and resettlement resources to help Cameroonians in the U.S. thrive.

  • International Solidarity

    Building international solidarity and highlighting the issues faced by Black migrants.

Goal

To unify international efforts dedicated to protecting immigrants and displaced individuals affected by humanitarian crises, violence, persecution, or other human rights violations in Cameroon and other African nations, while spreading awareness to expose the root causes of migration.

Mission Statement

Founded and led by impacted Cameroonians in the diaspora in coalition with legal and migrants’ rights advocacy organizations, CAN is uniquely situated to champion the freedom and dignity of Cameroonians, center the issues of Black migrants, and build thriving communities.

60 Thousand+ Cases Reported

5+ years of service

198 community centers

72 countries

our work

Since our official founding in August 2021, CAN has focused on blending strategic collaborative advocacy, community organizing, and campaign outreach. We aim to unmask the poor treatment of immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, often indefinitely detained under the biased US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) system. Our overarching mission is to secure comprehensive relief for Cameroonians living in the U.S. and those still on their journey of hope.

See all our activities

our Beliefs

CAN believes that a thriving and stable Cameroonian community requires freedom for all Cameroonians. This begins with securing TPS and includes the right to asylum, resettlement assistance, and a path to citizenship. We also advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for all immigrants, including those who have been cruelly deported or displaced.

Get Involved

Impact

Since 2017, the Cameroon Advocacy Network (CAN) has made remarkable strides, significantly transforming thousands of lives through unity, compassion, and unwavering support. Our key achievements include:

  • Consider Applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

    • Secured the initial designation and subsequent redesignation of TPS for Cameroonians. This has provided blanket relief from deportation and granted work permits to over 20,000 Cameroonians, ensuring their safety and stability in the U.S.
    • Secured a special student relief package linked with TPS, offering security and work opportunities to thousands of Cameroonian students in the United States. This initiative has enabled these students to continue their education without the constant threat of deportation, while also allowing them to support themselves financially.

  • Return Directive Advocacy Project:

    • Successfully secured the return of approximately 40 deported Cameroonians through our Return Directive advocacy project. This effort involved meticulous legal work, extensive lobbying, and collaboration with international human rights organizations, ensuring that these individuals could reunite with their families and rebuild their lives in the U.S.

  • Holistic Legal and Resettlement Support:

    • Provided comprehensive legal assistance, post-release support, and resettlement resources to around 4,000 Cameroonians in the U.S. Our services include legal representation, housing assistance, employment support, and access to healthcare, helping these individuals to thrive and integrate into their communities.

  • Black Immigrants Bail Fund Initiative:

    • Processed 560 bond requests through our Black Immigrants Bail Fund initiative, successfully liberating over 232 individuals from detention. This initiative not only ensures the release of detained immigrants but also provides them with the necessary support to navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.

These milestones reflect CAN’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Cameroonians. Our strategic efforts in securing legal protections, providing critical support services, and advocating for systemic changes have made a profound impact on the lives of thousands, fostering a community where Cameroonians can thrive in safety and dignity.

Detention Support and Removal Defense Project

Our Detention Support and Removal Defense Project is dedicated to protecting individuals from deportation and removal through various strategic interventions:

  • Monthly Detention Visits:

    We conduct regular visits to detention centers across the country, providing direct support and legal counsel to detained Cameroonians and other Black immigrants.

  • Hotline Intervention:

    We operate a dedicated hotline to offer immediate assistance and intervention for those facing imminent deportation. This service connects detainees and their families with legal resources and support networks, ensuring timely and effective responses to urgent cases.

  • Legal Representation:

    Our team of experienced attorneys and advocates work tirelessly to represent individuals in immigration court, aiming to secure their release and protect them from deportation.

  • Post-Release Support:

    We offer comprehensive post-release services, including housing assistance, employment support, and access to mental health care, to help individuals reintegrate into their communities and rebuild their lives.

International Advocacy
and Collaboration

CAN extends its advocacy efforts beyond the U.S. borders, engaging in international work to protect the rights of displaced Cameroonians and other Black immigrants worldwide. Our collaborations include:

  • United Nations Engagement:

  • EMLER (Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples):

    We work with the United Nations’ EMLER to address the human rights issues faced by displaced Cameroonians and other Black immigrants, advocating for their protection and inclusion in international human rights frameworks.

  • CERD (Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination):

    CAN actively participates in CERD sessions to highlight the racial discrimination and human rights violations against Cameroonians and Black immigrants, pushing for international accountability and policy changes.

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

  • We work with the United Nations’ EMLER to address the human rights issues faced by displaced Cameroonians and other Black immigrants, advocating for their protection and inclusion in international human rights frameworks.

Through these initiatives, CAN continues to champion the rights and dignity of displaced individuals, advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety and well-being of all immigrants.

The Crisis in Cameroon

The West African nation of Cameroon faces multiple, worsening conflicts that have created a dire humanitarian crisis. Internal socio political struggles that have devolved into armed conflict, the constant threat of violent attacks from extremist group Boko Haram, and a growing refugee crisis in the broader Central African region have undermined the political stability in Cameroon and left more than 4.7 million people in the country in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. More than 2 million people have been forcibly displaced and thousands of people have died.

  • Anglophone Regions:

    Political and human rights crises characterized by violence from government forces and armed separatist groups have displaced over 1 million people.

  • Far North Region:

    Armed conflict and violence involving Boko Haram and government forces have displaced over 300,000 people.

  • Political Repression

    Widespread repression of political opposition and dissent.

Anglophone Regions

Far North Region

Advocacy Efforts:

Return Directive: DEPORTED
CAMEROONIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS RETURNED TO U.S

On July 18, 2024, the United States government has, since May 2024, approved the return of 27 Cameroonian asylum seekers who experienced serious harm in Cameroon after their deportation from the U.S. in 2020, a coalition of human rights groups said today. While the returns were permitted on humanitarian grounds, in part based on U.S. asylum confidentiality violations that contributed to their harm in Cameroon, the asylum seekers had also experienced abuses in U.S. immigration detention, including the use of excessive force, painful full-body restraints, solitary confinement, racial discrimination, and medical neglect.

Focus On Special Humanitarian Parole For Cameroon

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the plight of Cameroonian immigrants and the continued turmoil and instability in the nation of Cameroon merits a designation of humanitarian parole pathway. CAN is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to create a humanitarian parole program for displaced Cameroonians fleeing violence and turmoil from Cameroon.

Focus on TPS

On April 15, 2022 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated TPS for Cameroon, meaning that Cameroonians who were in the US on or before April 14, 2022 may be eligible for TPS. The TPS designation for Cameroon will last for 18 months. Individuals do not automatically receive TPS. Eligible individuals must register during a specific registration period.

Join Us

By standing together, we become beacons of newfound hope, embracing the opportunity for change and anticipating a broader scope of life ahead. Join CAN in advocating for the freedom and dignity of all Cameroonians and Black migrants.

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