Government Relations Work
Home > Government Relations Work
Over the years, the Government Relations Committee (GRC) of IAM has been actively involved in building relationships with elected officials in the state of Minnesota at the federal, state, and local levels. GRC maintains these relationships by inviting officials to IAM events such as Connect India and IndiaFest, creating opportunities for community members to engage directly with policymakers.
GRC also collaborates with other Asian organizations in the Twin Cities—including CAAL, CAPM, and CAPI—to advocate for Asian Indian causes while supporting the broader Asian American community in Minnesota.
Over the last two years, IAM has been actively involved in advocacy efforts for legal immigrants from India who are part of the U.S. visa-holding workforce and face extreme Green Card backlogs due to immigration policies established in 1952. These per-country caps disproportionately impact Indian nationals, often resulting in decades-long waits. It is currently estimated that nearly 400,000 Indian nationals may die before receiving a Green Card. GRC works with senators and legislators to urge Congress to pass the America’s Children Act (HR 3442 / S 1667) to protect aging-out children of visa holders and to explore expansions of programs such as DACA for documented immigrant children.
This year, GRC is actively working with elected officials to document and introduce an anti–Asian Indian hate resolution in the Minnesota state legislature. With the increase in racially motivated incidents impacting our community, this bipartisan resolution aims to formally recognize these challenges while strengthening protections at the state level.
GRC also plays a critical role in educating the community about changes in immigration policy and raising awareness about fundamental rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution.
The Government Relations Committee (GRC) of the India Association of Minnesota is established to facilitate effective communication and engagement with government bodies, officials, and stakeholders at various levels of government, both in the US and India. The committee’s primary purpose is to advocate for policies, regulations, and legislative actions that align with and support the organization’s mission, objectives, and its members.
The GRC shall be composed of members who have passion for and interest in government affairs, public policy, and advocacy. The committee should consist of a diverse group of individuals, including representatives from the organization’s board of directors, volunteers, and interns, as needed. It will work closely with the Outreach committee to collate and prioritize topics and issues from various regional Indian organizations in Minnesota. It will bring outside experts, when necessary, to guide the committee on specific areas of interest.
A. Advocacy and Lobbying
1. Research and monitor legislative and regulatory developments at the local, state, and federal levels both in the US and India that may impact the IAM’s mission.
2. Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and key stakeholders in the US and India to promote the IAM’s interests.
3. Identify opportunities to advocate for or against specific policies, legislation, or regulations in alignment with the organization’s goals.
4. Engage in lobbying activities, as permitted by relevant laws and regulations.
B. Outreach and Education
5. Serve as a resource for organization members, stakeholders, and the Indian community at large by providing information and updates on government-related matters.
6. Work with Indian Associations from other cities to see how we can advocate for common issues at the Federal level.
7. Organize events, workshops, or seminars to educate board members, volunteers, interns, and the Indian community at large on issues relevant to the organization.
8. Develop educational materials, fact sheets, and policy briefs to support advocacy efforts.
C. Strategy and Planning
9. Develop and regularly update a government relations strategy and action plan, outlining key objectives, targets, and timelines.
10. Assess the political landscape and public opinion to adapt the organization’s advocacy strategies as needed.
11. Collaborate with other committees, if applicable, to ensure alignment and synergy with the organization’s overall goals.
12. Create a budget to support the approved activities of this committee.
D. Compliance
13. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements related to lobbying and government relations activities.
14. Maintain accurate records of lobbying expenses and activities, if required by law.
E. Reporting and Accountability
15. Regularly report to the organization’s leadership, board of directors, or relevant stakeholders on the committee’s activities, achievements, and challenges.
16. Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the committee’s efforts in achieving its goals and objectives.
The Government Relations Committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who will be responsible for coordinating committee activities, leading meetings, and serving as the primary liaison between the committee and the organization’s leadership.
The Government Relations Committee shall meet regularly, with the frequency of meetings determined by the committee’s workload and priorities. Additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary to address urgent issues or opportunities.
This charter may be amended with the approval of the organization’s board of directors, provided that any changes remain consistent with the organization’s mission and applicable laws and regulations.
This charter is adopted by the Government Relations Committee of the India Association of Minnesota on February 15, 2024, and is subject to approval by the organization’s board of directors.