Good morning & welcome to the Lab Brief.
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From Anchorage, Alaska to Tallahassee, Florida and beyond, individuals are proudly proclaiming that they stand with their neighbors and affirm that our communities should be welcoming. Amidst federal efforts to close our doors and instill fear, refugee leaders, state and local elected officials, and champions from diverse backgrounds remind us that our values of welcome and community, not hate and division, should lead our policies.
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Let’s take a closer look.
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In times of fear and uncertainty, the power to create change is in our hands. By coming together—one act of welcome at a time—we can build stronger communities where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re a newcomer yourself or a long time community member, we all have a part to play in building a world where everyone feels like they belong.
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To celebrate World Refugee Day, the Lab, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Refugee Congress, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), Refugees International, Welcoming America, and Save Resettlement launched the #WeWillWelcome Pledge, an effort that will go through Welcoming Week in September. Join us today by signing the pledge, sharing on social media, and inviting others to add their voices.
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LAB CONDEMNS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S TRAVEL BAN
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The Lab and our partners responded to the Trump administration’s harmful new travel ban, which closes doors to people seeking safety and disrupts families and communities across the United States:
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“These policies run counter to the priorities of communities and local leaders, who are ready and willing to welcome newcomers. The Lab will continue to work with them as we fight for a future where people have the freedom to keep their families safe.” - Kate Brick, Executive Director of the Refugee Advocacy Lab
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This work includes equipping community leaders with the tools they need to serve as powerful champions for their refugee and newcomer neighbors. To support employers and other local leaders in these efforts, the International Rescue Committee and the Lab published a new resource with tools to engage their elected officials and advocate in the public dialogue for welcoming policies.
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REFUGEE STORYTELLERS COLLECTIVE
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Storytellers Summit
In June, the Refugee Storytellers Collective hosted its second annual Storytellers Summit! Nearly 30 Collective members from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. to build community, discuss issues that directly impact refugee and newcomer communities, and deepen their skills of impactful storytelling and advocating for change.
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Mental Health Awareness Month Reflections
To honor Mental Health Awareness month in May, Refugee Storytellers Collective members reflected on mental wellness, community, and self-care. For Andreina Zuluaga and Halima Hamud, creating equitable access to mental health resources is an integral part of welcoming newcomers.
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“Over time, I’ve learned that accepting my rest and well-being as necessities is part of reclaiming my story… Prioritizing my healing is how I honor where I come from and who I’m becoming.” - Halima Hamud, a refugee advocate and digital storyteller.
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“Migratory grief is a real phenomenon that often affects immigrants as they adapt to a new community. In many cases, they don’t even recognize the significant emotional journey they are undergoing.” - Andreina Zuluaga, a Refugee Congress Delegate for New Jersey and certified psychologist.
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Pride Month Reflections
In celebration of Pride Month in June, Refugee Storytellers Collective members wrote about the intersections between identity, faith, community, and belonging. As Teddy Almuktady and Kendra Frith proudly share, queer and trans newcomers comprise a crucial part of the LGBTQ+ movement in the U.S.
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“ It’s not just about rainbow flags or parades, it’s about saying: ‘I deserve to exist. I deserve to be safe. I deserve to be loved, by others, by myself, and by God.’” - Teddy Almuktady, an LGBTQ+ advocate and founder of Southeast Asian LGBTQ+ Together.
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“If we want true liberation, we have to center those at the margins not just as recipients of aid, but as co-creators of the future we all deserve.” - Kendra Frith, a queer Jamaican woman and Senior Engagement Officer with Rainbow Railroad.
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World Refugee Day Celebration
In solidarity with all our neighbors on World Refugee Day, the Lab joined several partners, refugees, faith leaders, and allies to demand the Trump administration restore the refugee resettlement program. Claudia Rojas, a Refugee Storytellers Collective member, joined community members to share her experience and perspective.
Listen to her Powerful Poem
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In Lab states, our partners on the ground celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day, while continuing to champion inclusive state and local policies.
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In Georgia, Lab partner the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies celebrated World Refugee Day loudly and proudly. Hundreds of elected officials and community leaders stood in solidarity, performers shared energy, culture, and joy with everyone in attendance, vendors shared their love through food, and so much more. Together, Georgians honored not only the journeys of refugees and immigrants but their contributions, resilience, and strength.
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In Minnesota, a provision that reduces barriers to practicing medicine for internationally trained physicians championed by the Lab and the Center for Victims of Torture was included by the Minnesota legislature as part of the state budget! This change will allow physicians, like Dr. Mohamoud, to address shortages in underserved areas, while still ensuring a high level of culturally responsive & quality care:
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“I am able to speak the language & kind of navigate the culture, see where patients are coming from & what is meaningful to them.” – Dr. Abdilahi Ali Mohamoud, an internal medicine resident at Hennepin Healthcare Medical Center in Minneapolis.
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In North Carolina, we are pushing back against several bills that would fuel division and fear by profiling and criminalizing members of the community and wasting government resources and taxpayer dollars by requiring local law enforcement to do the job of the federal government. Governor Josh Stein has vetoed two of these bills that passed.
As these bills head back to the state legislature for a possible override this month, the Lab and World Relief Durham are encouraging North Carolinians to contact their Representatives and Senators to urge them to vote NO on SB 153, HB 318, HB 690, and HB 261. It’s time to remind our elected leaders we support our newcomer neighbors and want solutions to #KeepNCWelcoming.
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Durham Refugee Day brought the community together to celebrate Durham’s vibrant refugee presence. Durham City Council Members Javeria Caballero, DeDreana Freeman and Chelsea Cook, and County Commissioners Michelle Burton and Stephen Valentine joined the event to read the 2025 Durham Refugee Day proclamation before sharing a few words with the crowd:
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“Your elected officials now, your elected officials previously, and your elected officials to come will always stand with immigrants and refugees, because that’s how we do it in Durham. Always know that we will have your backs. Always know that we will rise to every single challenge that affects our immigrant and refugee communities.” - Durham City Council Member Javeria Caballero
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In Pennsylvania, our local Lab partner, Church World Service, celebrated World Refugee Day and Immigrant Heritage Month with a Lancaster City Council resolution and flag raising. Rwamucyo Karekezi, Lab PA State Lead, CWS Refugee and Immigrant Community Organizer, and Refugee Storytellers Collective member, spoke to the power of this resolution:
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"It's important that we continue to honor the refugees and immigrants who are making our community stronger. Right now many of our neighbors feel scared... It's important that they know that Lancaster is a safe place and that we're happy they're here."
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At the World Refugee Day flag-raising ceremony, city officials and community leaders spoke of the invaluable role refugees play in their community and the need to continue this legacy of welcome:
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In Virginia, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed proclaimed June 20th to be World Refugee Day, noting “ Harrisonburg is a welcoming City that celebrates the diversity of its residents and acknowledges that refugees, immigrants, and newcomers enhance the culture and the economy”.
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More than 25 refugee leaders alongside allies and supporters joined to witness the proclamation and celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of refugees and other community members in Harrisonburg.
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Thanks for reading! Are you interested in state advocacy or Lab resources? Reach out.
The Refugee Advocacy Lab partners with varying groups on different activities, and as such, partnership with the Lab does not necessarily imply a partner’s support for any specific activity or policy. Similarly, the Lab does not necessarily support or endorse specific activities or positions of partner organizations.
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