Good afternoon & welcome to the Lab Brief.
|
This September the Lab is celebrating our five year anniversary with a new core partner, new strategic communications and policy resources, and a recap of our state advocacy work this year with partners on the ground to pursue policies that welcome people seeking safety.
|
Let’s take a closer look.
|
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE JOINS THE LAB AS NEW CORE PARTNER
|
|
|
The Lab was thrilled to announce earlier this month that Church World Service (CWS) has joined Refugees International, the International Refugee Assistance Project, and Refugee Congress on the leadership team of the Lab.
Since the 1940s, CWS has been welcoming people seeking asylum and refuge in the United States, and we’re looking forward to deepening our partnership to achieve our shared vision: where people who have been forced to flee their homes have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and thrive in the United States.
|
STATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUSION & WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT
|
To help community leaders, policymakers and advocates continue to push for creative ways to ensure newcomers can fully participate in the workforce and the community more broadly, the Lab and the International Refugee Assistance Project have developed a policy guide which highlights recent efforts in conservative states to promote inclusive policies, offering a roadmap of possibilities for advocates navigating complex political environments.
|
|
|
With the federal landscape increasingly restrictive when it comes to protection and immigration policy, it is imperative that states develop and enact supportive immigration frameworks to sustain their workforces, bolster community resilience, and pressure their federal counterparts.
|
|
|
|
In times of fear and uncertainty, the power to create change is in our hands. When we come 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, sign the #WeWillWelcome pledge, share it on social media, and invite others to add their voices. Nearly 300 people have participated from 42 states, and we hope you will as well!
|
|
|
Want to learn more about the pledge and hear from refugee leaders themselves on how we can build community together? Join the Refugee Storytellers Collective TODAY, September 17, at 5:00PM ET for “What It Means to Welcome: Stories We Share,” a webinar in celebration of Welcoming Week where Collective members will share reflections on how we can support each other as people, friends, and neighbors by sharing traditions and stories.
|
|
|
Safety in Storytelling Guide
The Lab, Refugee Storytellers Collective, and Refugee Congress published a new guide informed by seasoned leaders and storytellers who have experienced forced displacement that provides guidance on how to ensure safety for partners with lived experience when engaging in storytelling opportunities. We encourage partners with lived experience and the organizations that work with them to utilize this guide to harness their power while ensuring personal safety in storytelling.
|
|
|
As we enter into the fall, most states have wrapped up their 2025 legislative sessions. Despite a challenging national environment, we are inspired by the tremendous work of our partners across the country. With planning already started for 2026, the Lab team took a moment to look back at how states are fighting back, and what was accomplished – and learned – in 2025.
|
|
|
On the anniversary of Vice President Walter Mondale’s speech to the United Nations, Alison Beckman, the Lab’s Minnesota State Lead and Center for Victims of Torture’s Senior Clinician for External Relations, encouraged Minnesota to follow Mondale’s example in the Star Tribune:
|
“We must demand our government restore the refugee resettlement and asylum systems. And we must support local organizations that provide legal aid, housing, trauma counseling and resettlement services to our new neighbors. Most of all, we must be intentional in creating welcoming communities — at the grocery store, in our schools and at our places of worship.”
|
|
|
When the state session came to a temporary close in early August, we were actively pushing back against several bills - including SB 153 and HB 318 - that 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 cooperate with federal authorities. Unfortunately, the NC House was able to override Governor Stein’s veto on HB 318, despite the strong advocacy efforts of hundreds of North Carolinians. At the moment, the veto of SB 153 remains, but the Lab and our partner World Relief Durham continue to call for the veto to be sustained.
|
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN OHIO OR PENNSYLVANIA?
|
|
|
The Ohio and Pennsylvania legislative sessions are year-round, so the work there continues, including opportunities for newcomers and community members to head to the state capitol and speak to their state legislators in support of welcoming policies. Keep an eye on our social media channels in the coming weeks for updates about October Advocacy Days in Columbus and Harrisburg!
|
|
|
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.
Unsubscribe | Donate
© 2024 Refugee Advocacy Lab, All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
