Jayapal founded Hate Free Zone after the 2001 September 11 attacks as an advocacy group for immigrant groups . Hate Free Zone registered new American citizens to vote and lobbied on immigration reform and related issues . They successfully sued the Bush Administration 's Immigration and Naturalization Services to prevent the deportation of over 4,000 Somalis across the country . The group changed its name to OneAmerica in 2008 . Jayapal stepped down from her leadership position in May 2012 . In 2013 she was recognized by the White House as a " Champion of Change . " On June 29 , 2018 , Jayapal participated in Women Disobey and the sit-in at the Hart Senate Office Building to protest the Trump administration ’s “ zero-tolerance ” approach to illegal immigration . The protest resulted in the arrest of over 500 people , including Jayapal . She said she was " proud to have been arrested " for protesting the administration ’s " inhumane and cruel " policy
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Pramila Jayapal