Donald Trump has won the presidential election. The incoming Trump administration has stated plans to diminish or dismantle the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, end crucial alternative humanitarian pathways, and separate families via mass deportation. During Trump’s first term, his efforts to target newcomer communities were slowed by Congress, courts, and effective organizing efforts by people across the country committed to …
Take Action: Call on Congress and the Biden administration to protect refugees and newcomers before Trump takes office
The presidential election has been called for Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20. The incoming Trump administration has stated plans to diminish or dismantle the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, end crucial humanitarian pathways like parole, and separate families via mass deportation. As occurs after every election cycle, Congress will now return to Capitol Hill for a special …
TAKE ACTION: This National Children’s Month, Ask Congress to Fund Programs that Promote the Flourishing and Safety of Immigrant Children and Families
October 31, 2024
November is National Children’s Month, started to honor and recognize the importance of children and their well-being. This year it’s important to remember unaccompanied children – children who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or guardian – as we celebrate the beauty of childhood and the resiliency of immigrant children and youth. One important way to honor children this …
Stories of Change
Top photo: Nicole's mom, dad, and sister after casting their votes. Bottom photo: Nicole celebrating her master's graduation in social work.
Ballots and Belonging: Voting for the Family I Love
Turning 18 was more than just a milestone for me—it was the beginning of my journey into civic engagement, deeply inspired by my parents’ immigration story. My mom, a naturalized citizen from Mexico, had been voting since she was eligible. But my dad, a Legal Permanent Resident, had contributed to the U.S. in many ways—paying taxes and building a life here—without having the right to vote. Seeing him fulfill all the responsibilities of citizenship, yet lacking that key right, made me feel it was my duty to make my voice heard at the ballot box.
When my dad finally became a U.S. citizen after two decades, I felt immense pride. He studied hard and probably knows more about American history than I do! Now, going to the polls as a family symbolizes our progress and the importance we place on being active participants in our democracy.
Studying social work in college only strengthened my sense of civic duty. Social issues, health disparities, and policy impacts were common discussions on campus, and I often encouraged friends to vote thoughtfully. Voting absentee for my hometown taught me how important it is to stay involved, even when it isn’t convenient.
Both my parents came from a small town in Puebla, Mexico, and met in New York through family connections. My mom obtained citizenship through her stepdad, but my dad took a different path, which taught me about the fears and limitations immigrants face, even with legal status. This awareness drove me to work with unaccompanied immigrant children in my role with Church World Service, where I advocate for those with stories similar to my family’s.
I know I’ll never find a candidate who matches my beliefs perfectly, but voting isn’t just about me; it’s about standing up for my community and those I love. Living in a swing state, I feel the weight of my vote even more. For me, America is a blend of gratitude for the opportunities my family found here and a desire for a better future. It’s a balance between celebrating our progress and pushing for change.
Nicole Fortoso is the HSPRS Community Engagement Associate at Church World Service in Charlotte, North Carolina. To learn more about CWS Charlotte, visit this link.
Take Action: Urge Congress to Protect and Support Those Displaced By Climate Change
September 17, 2024
According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 120 million individuals have been displaced from their homes around the world, more than at any other time in human history. An increasingly significant factor in the displacement of people around the world is the prevalence of climate disasters and ongoing environmental change. In 2022, there were 33 million displacements globally that were …
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Support Displaced People We Promised to Protect
September 11, 2024
Right now, members of Congress are negotiating the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2025), which begins October 1st. Without decisive action from Congress, key programs and services for displaced people the United States has promised to protect will face dramatic cuts. With the looming November elections creating uncertainty about the office of the president and the composition …
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Heed the Call of Congregations and Faith Communities By Supporting Welcoming Policies
September 5, 2024
Congregations and people of faith have an important role in advancing pro-immigrant, pro-refugee policies. Join us in taking action to urge your elected officials to pursue legislation and funding rooted in collective concern for people fleeing persecution and violence. Our diverse faith traditions compel us to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner—regardless of place of birth, …
TAKE ACTION: Ask Congress to Protect Children in Government Custody!
August 15, 2024
In recent years over 250,000 migrant children have fled poverty, violence, persecution and oppression, arriving in the United States without a parent or guardian. After being apprehended at the U.S. border, these children often spend weeks and even months in federal custody while the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) determines a safe home, with family members or sponsors to care …
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Celebrate World Refugee Day & Support Refugees & Other Displaced People
June 3, 2024
World Refugee Day—held annually on June 20th—is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the resilience and courage of those fleeing violence and persecution globally. It serves as a call to action for governments and communities to strengthen their efforts in providing safe haven, resources, and opportunities for refugees and other displaced people to rebuild their lives. The world currently faces …
TAKE ACTION: Urge Congress to Support Unaccompanied Children and their Families in FY 2025 and Supplemental Funding Efforts
April 15, 2024
Late on March 22 – nearly halfway into this fiscal year – Congress finally passed an FY 2024 appropriations bill that will keep the government funded through September 30. The bill covered a number of key refugee accounts and policies, including the account that supports services for unaccompanied children under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Account (REA), administered by the …