Migration and Asylum Project

Migration and Asylum Project [an initiative of the Ara Trust] is India's first and only dedicated legal centre for refugee law and migration studies. Its mission is to end the marginalization of one of the most vulnerable communities, refugees and undocumented migrant communities, by enabling them to access mainstream protection systems. Its pilot initiative focused on providing legal representation to refugees before the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the agency mandated by the Indian government to process asylum claims. Over the years, M.A.P has broadened its role, pioneering innovative legal tools, acting as a resource centre, developing platforms for stakeholder engagement, strengthening legal response, and influencing policymaking through research and advocacy. M.A.P is a women-led organisation, notable considering that over 80% of its beneficiaries are women and children.