Good afternoon,

I recently watched The Flagmakers 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 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 at the southern border and backlog in asylum cases that has hit a record high. While Republicans and Democrats in Congress continue to battle each other, exposing a tough path to consensus, Americans agree 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 to the southern border and his administration’s new enforcement announcements and private sponsorship plans for refugees, are steps in the right direction. But major challenges remain, including the expansion of Title 42 leading to immediate expulsions of migrants coming from Nicaragua, Cuba, and Haiti.

(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 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:

CBS NEWS: Biden expands Title 42 expulsions while opening legal path for some migrants

NBC: Support for Ukrainian Refugees Dropping, Especially Among Democrats

BLOOMBERG: Immigration to Drive All US Population Growth Within Two Decades

FOX NEWS: US Coast Guard detains 396 Haitian migrants crammed on 50-foot boat near Bahamas

THE TEXAS TRIBUNE: Texas heat-related deaths reached a two-decade high in 2022 amid extreme temperatures