Read about the work of We Are All America and our partners in the press.
MEDIA
2020 State Legislative Work
Advocates Take Home a Win After Arizona Senate Passes Pro-Refugee Resolution, February 11, 2020 – The Copper Courier
Welcoming refugees in Arizona, February 10, 2020 – Cronkite News, Public Broadcasting
Will Rep. Lawrence accept invitation to meet with the refugees he calls takers? (He should) Opinion, January 28, 2020 – Arizona Mirror
State and Local Consent for Refugee Resettlement
Multnomah Oks continued refugee resettlement, January 26, 2020 – Portland Tribune
Washington County continues refugee resettlement, January 26, 2020 – Portland Tribune
Across NC, governments are rejecting Trump’s heartless offer on refugees, January 10, 2020 – Charlotte Observer
4 local governments follow Ducey’s lead, open doors to refugees, January 7, 2020 – Arizona Mirror
Ohio will take in refugees, Gov. DeWine tells President Trump, January 2, 2020 – Dayton Daily News
Ginther joins other mayors in supporting refugee resettlement in Columbus, December 20, 2019 – Columbus Dispatch
Tallahassee continuing refugee resettlement program in wake of executive order, December 26, 2019 – Tallahassee Democrat
Tennessee governor says state will keep resettling refugees, December 18, 2019 – Associated Press
Commissioners voice support for continued refugee resettlement, December 10, 2019 – Columbus Dispatch
Arizona will continue to resettle refugees, Gov. Doug Ducey tells Trump administration, December 6, 2019 – Arizona Central
Los Angeles Passes Resolution Declaring Itself A ‘Welcoming City’ For Refugees, December 6, 2019 – CBS Channel 2 News
Knoxville City Council unanimously votes to accept refugees ahead of state decision, November 7, 2019 – Channel 10 News
Gov. Brown answers Trump: Oregon will accept refugees, October 21, 2019 – The Oregonian
Democratic governor to Trump: Oregon ‘is a sanctuary state’ and will continue to accept refugees, October 22, 2019 – The Hill
Rise for Refuge / Refugee Resettlement Admissions
Arizona
Rep. Grijalva and humanitarian groups denounce cuts to refugee resettlement, October 11, 2019 – Arizona Public Media
Lawful asylum claims shouldn’t count as ‘apprehensions,’ activists say, October 10, 2019 – KXAN News (We Are All America Arizona organizer, Nejra Sumic, quoted)
Trump administration’s drastic cuts to refugee admissions will hurt Arizona, advocates say, October 3, 2019 – Arizona Central
Rise for Refugees Press Conference at the Arizona State Capitol, October 3, 2019 – Arizona Central
California
Press Conference in Response to Refugee Resettlement Cuts, CHIRLA, October 16, 2019
Protestan en Los Ángeles contra el programa de ‘cero refugiados’ que pretende la administración Trump, August 3, 2019 – Univision
Rise for Refuge Press Conference outside Los Angeles City Hall, CHIRLA, August 3, 2019
Florida
Trump has nearly destroyed US refugee program, experts say, September 27, 2019 – The Guardian (We Are All America’s Florida organizer, Basma Alawee, quoted)
President Trump Wants to Make Drastic Cuts to Refugee Admittance by 2020, August 8, 2019 – Channel 13 News
Rise for Refuge in Northeast Florida, August 3, 2019
Florida Immigrant Coalition’s Rise for Refuge Press Conference in Tampa, Florida, August 3, 2019
Jacksonville nonprofits joining forces to fight back against potential refugee program shutdown, August 1, 2019 – Action Jax News
Rise for Refuge Interview featuring We Are All America, August 1, 2019 – Public Radio
Florida Immigrant Coalition’s Rise for Refuge Rally in Miami, August 1, 2019
Georgia
Rally in support of refugees urges local action, September 29, 2019 – Atlanta Journal Constitution
Kentucky
Refugees supported at rally held by Louisville politicians, activists, August 3, 2019 – WAVE 3 News
Rep. John Yarmuth reflects on trip to US-Mexico border at ‘Rise for Refuge’ event, August 3, 2019 – WDRP News
New Jersey
Jersey City takes stand vs Trump refugee and asylum policies, August 3, 2019 – North Jersey Record
Rise for Refuge rally to take place in Jersey City Aug 3, July 31, 2019 – Hudson Reporter
As Trump turns away asylum seekers and ends refugee resettlement, Jersey City communities demand Congress act, July 31, 2019 – Insider NJ
North Carolina
Rise for Refuge Press Conference (Greensboro)
‘These are human lives, not just numbers.’ Groups speak out in Greensboro on Trump’s plans to limit asylum seekers, refugees, August 3, 2019 – Greensboro News & Record
Groups protest Trump’s asylum policy in Greensboro, August 1, 2019 – Fox Channel 8 News
Exigen a representantes estatales y autoridades federales terminar con la retórica antiinmigrante de Donald Trump, August 3, 2019 – Univision
Michigan
Rise for Refuge with Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids, August 3, 2019
West Michigan Rise for Refuge Event, August 24, 2019
Oregon
Oregon lawmakers approve millions for refugee resettlement, August 3, 2019 – Portland Tribune
Oregon Stands Up for Refugees, Antes Up $2 Million, August 3, 2019 – Corvallis Advocate
Pennsylvania
Press Conference with Mayor of Philadelphia, August 6, 2019
Philadelphia officials urge support for refugees amid reports of impending ‘ban’, August 6, 2019 – WHYY Public Broadcasting
Following El Paso rampage, refugee advocates in Philadelphia marshal support for admitting more migrants, August 6, 2019 – Philadelphia Inquirer
South Dakota
SD members of Refugee Congress join others nationwide for Rise for Refuge movement, August 4, 2019 – KELO TV
Texas
Refugees like me often fill critical jobs, so why is the U.S. accepting fewer of us?, September 29, 2019 – Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rise for Refuge Press Conference (Austin)
Austin refugee advocates fighting against Trump Administration proposal, August 1, 2019 – FOX 7 News
Advocates warn potential cuts to refugee admissions would decimate resettlement program, August 1, 2019 – Fort Worth Star Telegram
Texas leads the US in welcoming refugees. Here’s why that might soon change, August 3, 2019 – Fort Worth Star Telegram
Utah
Salt Lake City residents, faith leaders rally against Trump’s proposed ban on refugees, August 3, 2019 – Salt Lake Tribune
Salt Lake leaders host event standing against Trump refugee and immigration policies, August 3, 2019 – ABC News 4
Refugee Resettlement Awareness and Program Support
‘New Deal for New Americans’ will reform immigration policy and strengthen our nation, February 8, 2020 – Sacramento Bee
Congress must act to grow U.S. refugee resettlement (New Deal for New Americans Op-Ed by We Are All America Organizer, Basma Alawee), December 7, 2019 – Orlando Sentinel
Supporters of Oregon bill that would help refugees hold rally at NE Portland church
June 10, 2019 – Fox 12 Oregon
https://www.kptv.com/news/supporters-of-oregon-bill-that-would-help-refugees-hold-rally/article_588b0930-8bb2-11e9-b884-83c9a6a8ffc2.html
Faith leaders urge lawmakers to pass refugee services bill
June 10, 2019 – KOIN 6 TV
https://www.koin.com/news/politics/faith-leaders-urge-lawmakers-to-pass-refugee-services-bill/2066557759
The U.S. government has turned its back on refugees like me | Opinion
April 17, 2019 – The Tennessean
https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2019/04/16/trump-administration-has-turned-its-back-refugees-like-me/3380842002/
As Feds crack down, refugee resettlement agencies ask Oregon for help
March 14, 2019 – Oregon Public Broadcasting
https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-refugee-resettlement-funding-assistance-legislation/
Resolution proclaims Arizona welcomes refugees
March 12, 2019 – PBS Arizona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSvCNlDHoC0
Refugees gather at Capitol as House approves resolution supporting refugee resettlement in Arizona
March 1, 2019 – Arizona Mirror
https://www.azmirror.com/2019/03/01/refugees-gather-at-capitol-as-house-approves-resolution-supporting-refugee-resettlement-in-arizona/
Trump Administration sets the lowest refugee intake targets in US history
September 20, 2018 – Real News Network
Portlanders rally on World Refugee Day
“Mourn, Pray, Love and Take Action” rally in support of refugee resettlement
June 20, 2018 – The Oregonian
On World Refugee Day, refugee numbers are plummeting in U.S., Arizona under Trump
June 20, 2018 – Arizona Republic
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2018/06/20/world-refugee-day-resettlement-plummets-restrictive-trump-policy-arizona/712750002/
Tucson mayor, refugee groups push for support of resettlement program
September 19, 2018 – Arizona Daily Star
https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-mayor-refugee-groups-push-for-support-of-resettlement-program/article_9b6e7384-0121-59f3-8226-457d3f4af096.html
Tucson mayor holds press conference to urge support of refugees
September 18, 2018 – News 4 Tucson
https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2018/09/18/tucson-mayor-holds-press-conference-to-urge-support-of-refuges/
U.S. slashes refugee admission cap – Tucson mayor, refugee groups condemn decision
September 18, 2018 – KOLD News Channel 13
https://www.kold.com/2018/09/19/resettled-immigrant-numbers-dropping-tucson/
Refugees to Tennessee Lawmakers: ‘We Love Tennessee’
March 20, 2018 – USA Today
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/20/refugees-tennessee-lawmakers-were-not-all-bad/441861002/
US refugee resettlement program has been nearly dismantled, advocates say
February 6, 2018 – The Boston Globe
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/02/06/refugee-resettlement-program-has-been-nearly-dismantled-advocates-say/PnwTi42Eu4COl5d7YcetbJ/story.html
Muslim and Refugee Ban – Lasting Impacts
Trump’s Attacks on Immigrants Won’t Win Florida, featuring We Are All America organizer
June 18, 2019 – The Boca Raton Tribune
Travel ban’s enduring hostility toward Muslims
July 11, 2018 – Orlando Sentinel
Features We Are All America Florida organizer, Basma Alawee
With travel ban upheld, Arizona Muslims ask: Is religious freedom only for some?
June 26, 2018 – Arizona Republic
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/06/26/supreme-court-travel-ban-upheld-arizona-muslims-ask-religious-freedom/735146002/
Year after chaos of first travel ban, tumult still rules immigration
Front page article featuring the launch of We Are All America
January 28, 2018 – Chicago Sun Times
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/1/28/18406301/year-after-chaos-of-first-travel-ban-tumult-still-rules-immigration-landscape
Nomination of Ronald Mortensen to Lead the Bureau of Population, Refugees & Migration
Refugee bureau pick would halt important progress | Opinion
Op-Ed by We Are All America member Naruro Hassan, published next to John McCain’s life tribute and funeral coverage
August 30, 2018 – Arizona Republic
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-arizona-republic/20180830
Refugee bureau pick a poor choice | Opinion
Op-Ed by We Are All America Florida Refugee Organizer Basma Alawee
August 14, 2018 – Miami Herald
https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article217691725.html
Rohingya refugees look to Washington and find a vacuum
July 30, 2018 – Pass Blue
Highlighting organized opposition to the nomination of Ronald Mortensen
https://www.passblue.com/2018/07/30/rohingya-refugees-look-to-washington-and-find-a-vacuum/
Refugee skeptic to assume key role on migration issues at State Department
July 26, 2018 – Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/07/26/refugee-skeptic-to-assume-key-role-on-migration-issues-at-state-department-trump-bureau-population-refugees-migration-immigration-policy-planning-staff-domestic-policy-council/
‘He’s Cruella de Vil’: State Department nominee meets fierce resistance
July 24, 2018 – Politico
Highlights We Are All America’s nationwide push to stop the Mortensen nomination
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/24/state-department-refugees-ronald-mortensen-resistance-737519
McCain Urges Trump to withdraw nominee for refugee post for ‘lack of empathy’
June 19, 2018 – Arizona Republic
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2018/06/19/john-mccain-urges-donald-trump-withdraw-nominee-ronald-mortensen/715602002/
Flake won’t support Trump’s refugee bureau pick over anti-immigrant views
May 30, 2018 – Politico
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/30/jeff-flake-ronald-mortensen-refugee-bureau-611605
Welcoming Refugees – Activities and Events
Event in Tucson reveals what it’s like to “Walk a Mile in a Refugee’s Shoes”
March 20, 2019 – PBS Arizona
https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2019/03/20/walk-a-mile-in-a-refugees-shoes/
At home on the pitch: Refugees in Florida find community in football
February 12, 2019 – Middle East Eye
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/home-pitch-refugees-florida-find-community-football
