B Stands for Befitting Celebration
Greetings,
Earlier this month, immigration advocates took the time to celebrate and reflect upon the 12th anniversary of the announcement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and honor World Refugee Day on June 20th. Both occasions offer an opportunity to honor strength and resilience of immigrants and refugees.
In the United States, there are nearly 530,000 DACA recipients. DACA recipients and Dreamers in general are more than just health care professionals, teachers, and business owners; they are our friends and neighbors. We depend on them and their contributions to our communities. Their involvement, essential work, and integration into American society makes them a driving force for our country’s success. DACA recipients deserve solutions from Congress that
create stability and permanence.
Students of Welcome advocate for Dreamers on Capitol Hill, June 17, 2024 (Source: National Immigration Forum)
That’s why this month, students from universities across the United States flew to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Dreamers and DACA recipients. These students, who form part of Students of Welcome (a new initiative of the National Immigration Forum) met with their Senators and reminded them that a legislative solution for DACA recipients and Dreamers continues to be urgent as DACA continues to face significant legal challenges, putting the program on delicate ground. Students also shared personal stories about their experiences working with immigrants and refugees in their communities in Iowa, Arizona, Ohio and
Tennessee.
Across the nation, communities came together to observe and honor World Refugee Day on June 20th. World Refugee Day was created by the United Nations and is celebrated internationally to honor those who have had to flee their home countries due to conflicts and fear of persecution. Today, nearly 110 million people around the
world are considered forcibly displaced, including 2.4 million refugees in need of resettlement.
In Boise, Idaho, the Idaho Office for Refugees held a celebration that included a naturalization ceremony, where 10 former refugees officially became American citizens. It was a special opportunity to honor the former refugees from six countries as their journey to the United States culminated in citizenship. A World Refugee Day celebration was also held in Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Metro Library held an event with music, dancing, cultural displays, and a panel. The event provided a great opportunity to educate the Dayton community and highlight the courage of refugees. To learn about even more celebrations, the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force recently published a blog post that shares stories of welcome and World Refugee celebrations in task force members’ communities.
As we reflect upon the anniversary of DACA and World Refugee Day this month, please join me in urging Congress to enact meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform that includes a permanent solution for Dreamers.
Stay healthy and hopeful,
Andrea
Andrea Corro
Field and Constituencies Coordinator
National Immigration Forum
NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:
NEW YORK TIMES: On Immigration, Biden Attempts to Replicate a Powerful Obama Moment
NEWS NATION: Seattle police recruiting DACA recipients to become officers
AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMEN: We can strengthen U.S.-Mexico border security without sacrificing compassion
BORDER REPORT: DHS details rules for special parole program for migrants from 4 countries
AMERICA: What you may not hear about immigration during the Biden-Trump debate
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