FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Stek, [email protected]
MEDIA ADVISORY & BOOKING MEMO
Former Refugees & Immigrants to Meet Congressional Leaders Across the Nation to Urge Welcome
Amidst Anti-Immigrant Policymaking, We Are All America Refugee Advocacy Days Will Center the Voices of Immigrant Leaders to Encourage Welcoming Policies
WASHINGTON, DC — Next week, former refugees and supporting organizations across the country will meet with their Members of Congress during the August Recess to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seeking people. Amidst multiple global refugee crises and as people fleeing persecution continue to face cruel deterrence policies and rhetoric, the directly-impacted constituents will share their stories and invaluable perspectives to encourage Congress to create policies and infrastructure of welcome.
The 61 meetings taking place in 27 different states are part of Refugee Advocacy Days 2023, led by We Are All America and multiple partner organizations, which will provide a platform for former refugees and immigrants to engage directly with their elected officials in district while visiting their home states to urge them to take action on two critical pieces of legislation: the Afghan Adjustment Act and the New Deal for New Americans Act.
Booking Memo: We Are All America Refugee Advocacy Days 2023
Former Refugees & Activists Available for Interview
As people seeking safety in the U.S. continue to face cruel deterrence policies and anti-immigrant sentiment, we need to hear from asylum-seekers and refugees themselves now more than ever. The following former refugees and allied advocates who will be leading and participating in the Advocacy Days are available for interview about their hopes for building a welcoming future for all. Please reach out to the interviewees directly, or to Melissa Stek at [email protected] with any questions.
Kawser Amine Bidar, Northern California Refugee Organizer, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Bio: Kawser Amine was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in general management and specialization in international relations at the Indian School of Business Management in New Delhi, India. She uses her experience as a former athlete in Afghanistan’s national women’s soccer team and women’s rights activist in Afghanistan to bring light to issues concerning women.
Languages Spoken: English, Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, Farsi
Adamou Mohamad, Director of Grassroots Organizing, Church World Service
Bio: Adamou is a former derivative asylee from Niger and has over twelve years of experience in community organizing with refugee communities. He previously served as the Detention and Deportation Pipeline Interruption Fellow at the American Friends’ Service Committee of the Carolinas. Adamou holds an MA in International Studies from NC State University, Raleigh, NC.
Languages Spoken: English, French, Hausa, and Yoruba
Dauda Sesay, National Network Director, African Communities Together
Bio: A former refugee from Sierra Leone, Dauda fled his homeland at the age of 16 due to a terrible war and resettled in the U.S. in 2009. He earned a degree in Applied Science in Process Technology and is currently working on a Bachelor Degree in Administrative Management with a concentration in International Business at the Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Prior to working for the ACT, Dauda worked as a Process Technician at Dow Chemical Company and volunteered with various local and national nonprofit organizations.
Languages Spoken: English, Sierra Leone Krio, Temne
Anahita Panahi, Deputy Director of Refugee Affairs, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Bio: Anahita received her Bachelors in International Security and Conflict Resolution at San Diego State University and a Masters in Political Science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. As an immigrant and the product of refugees from Iran, she has always had a strong desire to help resettle refugee families in various capacities before joining We Are All America in 2018.
Languages Spoken: English, Farsi
Christie Black, Director of Business Operations, Mormon Women for Ethical Government
Bio: Christie earned a Master of Accountancy from Brigham Young University but did not attempt to pass the CPA exam — which was a good call since she only worked in the accounting industry for five years. Since then, she has been raising her two children in Arizona while working with various nonprofits. She has been especially busy working with and advocating for refugees in Phoenix and is eager to share her experiences.
Languages Spoken: English
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We Are All America (WAAA) is a Campaign led by refugee and immigrant grassroots organizations housed at the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), who work to uphold and strengthen our nation’s commitment to welcome and protect those seeking refuge in the United States. Our work is organized around three core pillars: Promoting inclusive state and local policies; Strengthening our federal protection systems; and, at our core, Opportunity for All, which centers the leadership of refugee & immigrant organizers.
