The Café Exil is an autonomous antiracist group and space of support for migrants and refugees. It was founded in 1995 by different political antiracist groups in answer to more restrictive immigration laws. Its situated in the Hammer Straße in front of the aliens department of Hamburg (Ausländerbehörde). We try to support people in any issue and understand our work as a political support in a system of institutionalized racism and discrimination by the german state and its institutions. We offer company to the different authorities in Hamburg and (nonprofessional) consultancy concerning juridical and other personal problems. If necessary we are connected to several specialized lawyers and translators and can give information on different points of advice and support in Hamburg. We also help to fill in forms or write curriculae and applications or translations.
The Café Exil is a non-hierarchical self-governing political project which is realized exclusively by volunteer work. This means everyone is responsible for anything and any matter is discussed in group and decided the basis of consensus. There is no boss and no professionally educated person working in the café! People work here in their free time or in the context of internships. This is important, because we cannot offer any professional juridical support and final consultancy! It is the high level of daily experience, the list of contacts and the work in group we can offer and share with guests. Any help and support is free of charge. Our will to fight against a discriminating and racist alien law system and daily routine in the german authority institutions on a low-threshold level unites us as a group.
If you want to know more about us or want to join the work, then just come around or call!
We are willing to give lectures in workshops or any other event about migration in Europe and migrations laws and practice in educational or political contexts. Just contact us!
We cannot transmit contacts to migrants for interviews or cooperation of any kind!