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Dear friends,
In October, the Trump Administration announced its decision to slash refugee admissions to a new, devastating low of only 18,000. For nearly four decades, the U.S. has welcomed an average of 95,000 refugees each year—refugees like myself, uprooted by violence and persecution with no choice but to flee our homelands in search of safety and opportunity. It’s our nation’s proud humanitarian legacy to provide such safety and opportunity. That legacy is now being dismantled before our very eyes. This decision does more than tarnish the nation's reputation as a global leader; it works against our national security, foreign policy, and economic interests. Refugees are more than just a global statistic. They are mothers, fathers, business owners, and tradesmen. They are resilient people seeking a chance to rebuild their lives and raise their families in safety. |
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Above all, they make our communities—and our nation—better and stronger.
As a refugee whose life was forever changed by coming to the United States, I urge you to support refugees and the organizations serving them in your community. Whether you can contribute as a dedicated volunteer, generous donor, or fierce advocate, we need your support to ensure that Chicago, and the great nation in which we live, remain a place of welcome. In solidarity, Melineh Kano, Executive Director |