Take Action Now
Advocacy helps to transform policies and services that affect displaced and stateless people on a local, national, and global level.
Learn
The best way to start to be an ally and advocate is to educate yourself on global displacement and refugee resettlement policy. Check out this page by HIAS detailing the major pieces of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which has successfully provided protection to more than three million refugees since the program’s formal establishment in 1980 with the passage of the Refugee Act.
A critical part of learning is listening to the stories of those most impacted. To continue your learning, read GirlForward’s stories, look through our additional resources including perspectives and graphics to put displacement into context, and visit our blog.
Contact Your Representatives
Send a message to your Member of Congress to ask them to support the rights, dignity, and safety of refugees and asylum seekers.
Click here to look up the phone numbers for your elected officials.
Call your two Senators and your Member of Congress and use these suggested talking points to send a clear and succinct message:
I’m a constituent from [City, State], and I urge you to take a stand in welcoming Afghans and all refugees to the United States.
My community stands ready to welcome refugees. We believe that welcoming and protecting refugees makes us stronger as a community and as a country.
To remain the global humanitarian leader we have been since World War II, we must continue to welcome refugees who flee their homes in search of freedom from violence and persecution. People’s lives and futures are at stake. We cannot claim to act for humanity while turning our backs on the Afghan people.
[Personal stories are very effective. If you have a personal story or reflection on why your values and history compel you to take action for refugees, add it here]. Talking points shared/adapted from HIAS.
Ask your family and friends to join you in calling elected officials.