Murad Awawdeh: The Palestinian-American Driving New York’s Immigrant Rights Movement

Murad Awawdeh has emerged as one of the most influential Palestinian-American voices in the United States, shaping both immigrant rights discourse and broader civil-rights movements. As the President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)—one of the most powerful immigrant advocacy networks in the country—Awawdeh stands at the intersection of policy, community mobilization, and social justice.

His appointment marks the second time a prominent Palestinian figure has held a leading role at NYIC, signaling the expanding force of Palestinian and Arab-American engagement in U.S. public life.

A Leader Rooted in Palestinian Identity and American Activism

Born to Palestinian parents and raised in New York, Awawdeh grew up with a dual consciousness shaped by displacement, perseverance, and the struggle for dignity. These experiences gave him a profound sensitivity to the realities faced by immigrant families navigating systems designed without them in mind.

His activism began early, first in student organizing and later in grassroots community campaigns. Guided by a deep understanding of marginalization—whether experienced in historic Palestine or in American urban centers—Awawdeh developed into a leader who bridges cultures, languages, and political movements.

Shaping the Most Influential Immigrant Rights Coalition in the U.S.

The New York Immigration Coalition represents more than 200 community-based organizations, spanning Latino, Asian, Arab, African, and Caribbean communities. Under Awawdeh’s leadership, NYIC has expanded its statewide reach, strengthened its legal advocacy programs, and intensified pressure on policymakers around housing, healthcare, education access, and immigrant protection.

Awawdeh has become a crucial negotiator in Albany and Washington, pushing for:

• Expanded language access for immigrant families

• Funding for asylum seekers and refugee support programs

• Stronger sanctuary-city protections

• Pathways to legal status for undocumented New Yorkers

• Defending Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities from post-2023 war-related discrimination

His work sits at the crossroads of humanitarian advocacy and policy reform.

A Vocal Defender of Palestinian and Arab-American Communities

As a Palestinian-American, Awawdeh has played a unique role in the U.S. political climate following the 2023 Gaza war. He has spoken openly about rising Islamophobia, anti-Arab sentiment, and the pressures facing Palestinians in the U.S. who speak about the war. His leadership has helped ensure that Palestinian voices remain visible in conversations about civil rights and immigrant justice.

Through coalitions and public campaigns, he has insisted that advocacy for immigrants cannot be separated from the struggle against racism, militarization, and global displacement.

Building Bridges Across New York’s Diverse Communities

Awawdeh’s leadership style emphasizes solidarity across ethnic and religious lines. Under his direction, NYIC has united Jewish, Black, Arab, Asian, and Latino groups around shared goals—an approach that strengthens influence in policymaking spaces and amplifies immigrant narratives.

His work shows how Palestinian-American organizers are increasingly shaping progressive political agendas across the United States.