How America's Most Cherished Icon is Made and What that Tells Us
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**B Stands for Broad Stripes and Bright Stars**
Good afternoon,

I recently watched The Flagmakers
<[link removed]> and, as an
immigrant, it brought tears to my eyes. This captivating National
Geographic documentary sheds light on an overlooked role immigrants and
refugees play in America. It takes us through the process of creating
one of our country's most cherished icons, the American flag.
According to the film, five million flags
<[link removed]> are sewn every
year by immigrant and refugee workers in a factory located in Oak Creek,
Wisconsin. Each of these workers has their own unique struggle,
background, and story. They speak different languages and represent
different cultures from around the world. Yet they all share one big
dream: the American Dream of freedom, equality, safety, and opportunity
for themselves and their families. This dream has brought them here,
thousands of miles away from their home countries in Asia, the Middle
East, Europe, and Latin America. Hope for inclusion and liberty have
guided their distinct journeys.

Debates over immigration and the value of immigrants in Washington,
D.C.'s policy circles and around the country are taking place as we
witness migrant surges
<[link removed]>
at the southern border and backlog
<[link removed]>
in asylum cases that has hit a record high. While Republicans and
Democrats in Congress continue to battle
<[link removed]>
each other, exposing a tough
<[link removed]>
path to consensus, Americans agree
<[link removed]>
that bipartisan efforts to achieve meaningful immigration reform are now
more important than ever. Inflation and worker shortages are among the
challenges that bipartisan immigration reform could solve.

President Biden's recent visit
<[link removed]> to
the southern border and his administration's new
enforcement announcements
<[link removed]> and private
sponsorship
<[link removed]> plans
for refugees, are steps in the right direction. But major challenges
remain, including the expansion
<[link removed]> of Title
42
<[link removed]> leading
to immediate expulsions of migrants coming from Nicaragua, Cuba, and
Haiti.

[link removed]

**(Source: National Immigration Forum Twitter)**

Instead of short-term reactions, our country needs long-term
comprehensive, orderly, humane, and respectful policies for people
aspiring to live the American Dream. The flag-makers in Wisconsin are an
example of immigrant and refugee survivors who dared to dream. They
truly are the fabric of our nation who deserve to be treated with
dignity and respect. Let's show them <[link removed]> and
other migrants seeking opportunity, just like the stars on our flag,
their futures can also be bright.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Oula

**Oula Alrifai**
Assistant Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

C
[link removed]
BS NEWS: Biden expands Title 42 expulsions while opening legal path for
some migrants
<[link removed]>

**NBC:**Support for Ukrainian Refugees Dropping, Especially Among
Democrats
<[link removed]>

**BLOOMBERG:**Immigration to Drive All US Population Growth Within Two
Decades
<[link removed]>

**FOX NEWS:**US Coast Guard detains 396 Haitian migrants crammed on
50-foot boat near Bahamas
<[link removed]>

**THE TEXAS TRIBUNE: **Texas heat-related deaths reached a two-decade
high in 2022 amid extreme temperatures
<[link removed]>

 

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National Immigration Forum

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Washington, DC 20002

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