1) We'll add that in the next release. Thanks. 2) That's entirely likely. I realize the location part is sensitive, but we want to show you immediately the closest NGOs and sanctuary cities. 3) No, it doesn't. 4) We accept submissions via email, Twitter, and FB that we then research and vet with experts. We're planning an anonymous forum as well in the future.

Precisely.

We focus map that has every sanctuary city/immigration NGO and law clinic in the country on your approximate location.

visit us at www.arrived.us

So we invite users to email us so we can anonymize, research, and vet each question. We also allow users and partners to contribute to our blog.

(Also we launched back in July.)

Great points! We are constantly improving the UI since it's our first foray into Android.

It's a great site to be sure! But we have translated our content to Spanish (and soon ten other languages).

For the majority of Hispanic immigrants, smartphones are their only computing device. I'm a believer than an app always outdoes a "mobile-friendly" site. Also an app lets you require a user to sign a ToS once after installation without requiring accounts. For a website it's not as seamless.

> Also an app lets you require a user to sign a ToS once after installation without requiring accounts. For a website it's not as seamless.

Huh? I don't think I've ever visited a purely informational website (like this one apparently is) that required me to sign a ToS just to view it. You just click the link, read whatever information you came for, and leave when you're done. That's far more "seamless" than having to install an app before you can do anything.

I think the point is that they want to get users to sign the TOS. Probably for liability reasons due to the legal & sensitive nature of the information.

Exactly. Plus the constantly shifting landscape of immigration itself. Relevant info one day is stale the next.

Exactly why a website makes more sense. You get the latest version by just reloading the page.

You can do the same with an app, though.

I meant without downloading a 40 MB binary upfront.

>I'm a believer than an app always outdoes a "mobile-friendly" site.

I disagree. Downloading and installing a binary blob in order to then download some text is a worse UX for me.

>Also an app lets you require a user to sign a ToS once after installation without requiring accounts.

A cookie would solve this problem.

I suspect the real reason people keep pushing apps is they are much more monetizable rather than taking the user into account.

> I suspect the real reason people keep pushing apps is they are much more monetizable rather than taking the user into account.

Exactly. With an app you get full control over the users experience. No adblockers, no tracker disabling extensions (e.g., Privacy Badger), none of the benefits of a simple website. What about immigrants who can't afford a smartphone and use a computer at a public library?

If you want to be seen as the StackOverflow of immigration, providing an Android/IOS-only experience instead of simply requiring a modern web browser is either short sighted or suspicious — why do you need people to install your software?

> I'm a believer than an app always outdoes a "mobile-friendly" site.

On the other hand, the website is available on all platforms. An app is typically only available on whatever platform(s) the creator thinks is/are most valuable.

But if all you're doing is reading the feed on this app, then why do you need to require accounts or ToS?

StackOverflow doesn't require accounts to read posts (unlike some similar sites...).

To protect ourselves. While we do not offer legal advice per se, we do explain how removal proceedings, visa processes, and other sensitive topics work . Given how quickly immigration policy changes, the ToS allows us to say that info is provided as-is.

You can have that without anyone having to sign anything.

Sure, but not everyone wants to install an app for every site they visit; installation is about as non seamless as it gets!

Plus, the TOS bullshit is no excuse. Just require registration to post.

We don't want a database of undocumented immigrant emails, but agreed we will figure out a way to create a web portal as well.

We launched back in July because we felt tech could scale the great resources and tips shared in guides, forums, and in-person visits to NGOs. Given we are a team primarily of immigrants, we also wanted to combat the xenophobia in this country.

iOS is coming soon! Android headsets are cheaper and have a higher market share, and are therefore are more likely to be used by undocumented immigrants.

I think hughes's point was why isn't this just a website? (Which would work on all platforms, including iOS and desktop PCs, and would be searchable through Google.)

Maybe because of connectivity? Not everyone has a data plan when they arrive to the country.

Offline-capable websites are a thing. Plus you still need a connection to download the app initially anyway.

Users are not generally aware of this, whereas they may have more confidence in the possibility of an app working offline.

We want users to peruse the knowledge bank offline due to the cost of data and the potential that a detained or soon-to-be-detained immigrant may not have an internet connection.

Right, which is why I mentioned that it's entirely possible to make a website which can be used offline. You might want to have a look at Service Workers. https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/getting-start...

Great suggestion. We'll check it out.

That makes sense to me! Thanks for the response.

The newsfeed is curated from our blog via RSS (www.arrived.us/blog). The data in FAQ comes from expert interviews, NGO pamphlets, government sites, immigrant suggestions, and tips from the consular officials.