Together, we are stronger.
Membership is encouraged for organizations and formerly detained individuals actively engaged in anti-detention work.
DWN Member Community
Becoming a DWN member has empowered me in so many ways. The access to resources, trainings, toolkits to fight back, expert assistance and collaboration with legal advocates have been key as I fight my deportation case. I have learned so much from everyone in the network!
— Alejandra Pablos, #KeepAleFree
Our Community
- National Advocacy Community
- Grassroots Organizing Community
- Visitation and Hospitality Groups
- Legal Service Providers
- Faith Based Community
- Law Clinics
- Individual Advocates & Activists
- Directly Impacted Individuals
If membership isn't right for you, but you still want to contribute to Detention Watch Network
Another great way to support our work is through becoming a DWN donor - you can contribute with a one-time donation or as a sustaining donor. Donors receive regular DWN updates and have access to selected DWN events. Become a DWN donor today!
DWN Membership Statement
We at Detention Watch Network know that the fight to abolish detention will involve a strong and united movement, and we are proud of our vibrant, diverse, and committed membership. We believe a world without immigration detention is within reach, and we are building towards it with our members.
When it comes to DWN’s strategy and big picture decisions, we actively seek and incorporate input from our members. This happens through surveys, in-person or virtual strategy sessions, creating representative advisory committees, and other channels of communication.
While we solicit input from members on big-picture strategy or organizational directions, DWN is an autonomous 501c3 nonprofit organization with clear mission, values, and vision. As such, DWN staff make decisions on day-to-day operations and implementation of our strategic priorities, including signing on to organizational letters, writing press materials, participating in meetings with policymakers and other stakeholders, etc. Statements made by DWN do not necessarily reflect the views of each member. We welcome feedback from our members and always strive to be responsive to member concerns.
Membership Code of Conduct
DWN is a member-led, member-driven community. We expect our members to act as leaders within the progressive movement and demonstrate the following behavior:
- Respect for everyone’s identity, background, experiences, expertise, skills and unique role
- Willingness for personal growth by allowing yourself to challenge and be challenged by others in a candid and caring manner
- Offer thoughtful feedback to DWN staff so that we can continue to grow and improve
- Proactively engage within the Network by offering your experiences, expertise and thoughts within DWN spaces (meetings, member calls, the listservs)
- Be accountable for your actions
Become a Member
Thank you for your interest in joining Detention Watch Network. We hope that you will become a member of DWN and work with us to abolish the inhumane immigration detention system through collective advocacy, education, research, communications, organizing and network-building.
DWN Membership Criteria
DWN membership is open to organizations and formerly detained individuals that agree with our values and mission and that meet the following criteria:
- Are actively engaged in anti-detention work
- Agree to publicly identify as a member of DWN, when appropriate
- Agree to respect the diverse views and opinions within the membership and to seek respectful means for communicating concerns and resolving conflict
- Pay annual membership dues (unless waived) that are a core component to DWN's growth and sustainability
- Adhere to the membership code of conduct
- Participate in new member orientation and quarterly DWN member calls
Please note: The membership year runs from January 1 – December 31st and membership applications close on October 1st. Membership is not open to government employees or media representatives.
Applying to DWN Membership
There are a few ways to submit an application for membership:
Electronically
- Apply as an individual
Individual membership is exclusively for those who have been formerly detained in immigration detention. - Apply on behalf of your organization
- Apply as an individual
By Mail or Email
- Download and complete your individual application form or organizational application form
- Email your application and dues payment information to: membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org
- Submit your application with a check or credit card information for your dues payment enclosed to: Detention Watch Network, 1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 711, Washington, DC 20036
All applications are reviewed and approved by a membership committee, and you can expect to be contacted by a member of the DWN staff within 10 business days of applying for membership. (Note: If application is sent via mail, the review process could take longer than 10 business days.)
Are you a member of the media or a government employee?
Yes
Membership is not open to members of the media or government employees. Check out the following ways you can contribute and join anti-detention efforts:
- Become a DWN donor. You can contribute with a one-time donation or as a sustaining donor. Donors receive regular DWN updates and have access to selected DWN events.
- Help grow our efforts by organizing fundraisers, support with research, collaborate with art and other creative resistance efforts, or connect with DWN members in your area. Email us directly at info@detentionwatchnetwork.org.
No
Individual membership is exclusively for those who have been formerly detained in immigration detention. Have you been formerly detained?
Yes
No
Check out the following ways you can contribute and join anti-detention efforts:
- Become a DWN donor. You can contribute with a one-time donation or as a sustaining donor. Donors receive regular DWN updates and have access to selected DWN events.
- Join our news list. Receive DWN updates on immigration detention.
- Help grow our efforts by organizing fundraisers, support with research, collaborate with art and other creative resistance efforts, or connect with DWN members in your area. Email us directly at info@detentionwatchnetwork.org.
Renew Your Membership
Current DWN members, thank you for your ongoing commitment to our collective efforts to abolish detention. We look forward to working alongside you in 2026.
The 2026 Membership Renewal deadline is February 6, 2026.
As a national network, we aim to strengthen and build our base and that means making membership accessible to those who share our vision for change.
We strongly encourage members to contact us if they are unable to meet the membership dues obligations at membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org.
For more information visit our Membership FAQs.
Ways to Renew your 2026 Membership
Electronically
- Already have a member profile? Logging into your account is the quickest way to renew your membership. Access your member profile.
- Renew on behalf of your organization
By Email or Mail
- Complete your organizational renewal form
- Email your renewal form and dues payment information to: membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org
- Submit your renewal form with a check or credit card information for your dues payment enclosed to: Detention Watch Network, 1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 711, Washington, DC 20036
Access Your Member Profile
You can access your Member Account at any time to view your profile, update contact information, renew your membership, access your historical transactions and receipts, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become an individual member?
DWN has restructured our individual member program to increase our focus on individuals directly impacted by the detention system and to provide other individuals with more opportunities to support our work using their time, skills, and resources by becoming ‘Abolition Allies’. Abolition Allies benefits including regular DWN updates, access to listserv, and discounted/free access to webinars & trainings. For more information on becoming an Abolition Ally, email giving@detentionwatchnetwork.org.
If you are a formerly detained person, you can become a directly impacted DWN member.
What is the membership term?
The DWN membership year follows the calendar year, as well as our fiscal year, and runs from January 1st to December 31st.
I’m not currently a member, but I want to join/renew a lapsed membership. Can I become a member now?
Yes, you can join as a member now or at any time! We will review and process your application within 10 business days.
Why is there a dues payment?
Member dues are a core component to DWN’s growth and sustainability. They ensure a non-restricted income stream for DWN campaign activities and to strengthen the work of our members.
What are DWN's membership dues rates?
- $150: Annual Budget $0-100,000
- $300: Annual Budget $100,001-$200,000
- $500: Annual Budget $200,001-$300,000
- $800: Annual Budget $300,001-$700,000
- $1150: Annual Budget $700,001-$1,000,000
- $1750: Annual Budget $1,000,001-$1,500,000
- $2000: Annual Budget $1,500,001- $3,000,000
- $2800: Annual Budget $3,000,001- and up
Is DWN flexible on dues payments?
As a national network, we recognize that members are our base and we aim to strengthen and build our base and that means making membership accessible to those who share our vision for change. We strongly encourage members to contact us if they are unable to meet the membership dues obligations.
Who is eligible for prorated dues?
Prorated dues are for new members who join between July 1st and December 31st. Because they won’t receive the benefits of a full year of membership, these members will pay a prorated dues rate equal to 50% of the cost of the dues tier under which they fall. Members who pay prorated dues will be expected to renew at the full dues rate the following January.
Are membership renewals eligible for prorated dues?
No, all members are expected to renew their memberships in January at the full dues rate.
Why can’t I switch off the auto-renewal setting when I submit my membership application/renewal form?
In an effort to reduce the membership team’s time on administrative efforts and increase our capacity for member support, we have switched all our memberships to automatically auto-renew. If would like the auto-renewal removed from your membership, please contact us at membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org and we will turn it off.
I created an account when I applied to become a member. How do I log in to this account?
Please log in to your account here. If you have trouble logging in, please contact membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org and we can reset your login information.
Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact membership@detentionwatchnetwork.org.