Seventy-five years ago this week, the world came together to build a system of protection for people fleeing persecution. The United States helped shape that system from the start, then wrote it into our own law with the Refugee Act of 1980.

Children should never become invisible in our immigration debates. I wrote about five things I wish more Americans knew—and why we must protect the rights, dignity, and safety of every child. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-most-americans-dont-know-children-immigration-vignarajah-wmoue

What Most Americans Don't Know About Children in Immigration Detention

We debate immigration in this country with such intensity. Border security, asylum policy, legal pathways — we argue all of it, loudly and often.

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As these deaths continue to mount, Congress has approved an additional $70B in new enforcement funding—and is negotiating even more funding right now. TAKE ACTION: Tell your MOCs to protect the rights, dignity, safety, and lives of immigrants & refugees in detention and beyond: bit.ly/4yqwQi4 🔗🚨

Global Refuge Advocacy Action Center

Global Refuge

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In 2026 alone, 4 people have been killed by ICE in the streets. Another 21 have died while in ICE custody. Joan Sebastian Guerrero. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal. Behind each number is a name, a family, and a grieving community. We mourn with them and demand accountability.

Absolutely awful. Two fatal ICE shootings in under a week, and in both cases, no body cameras to show what actually happened. Independent, transparent investigations are the bare minimum here. No matter who or where, ICE does not get to play judge, jury, and executioner.

The New York Times@nytimes.com · 3w ago

Breaking News: An ICE agent shot and killed a person in a vehicle in Maine this morning, according to the state attorney general’s office.

In my latest newsletter, I reflect on why I believe this country will always be a work in progress, and why all of us have a role in shaping what comes next. Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unfinished-idea-250-krish-o-mara-vignarajah-z3j3e/

An Unfinished Idea at 250

This past Fourth of July carried two meanings at once. There was the celebration and the rituals rightfully commemorating a country that once dared to declare itself into existence — parades, popsicle...

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"“The Justices rightly recognized that the U.S. Constitution is clear and unambiguous: if you are born in this country and subject to its jurisdiction, you are a citizen of this country." - @krishvignarajah.bsky.social 📰 Full statement: bit.ly/4oVQs9n #birthrightcitizenship #immigrationpolicy

Global Refuge Welcomes Supreme Court Decision Upholding Birthright Citizenship | Global Refuge

The United States Supreme Court today ruled 6-3 that President Trump's executive order attempting to deny citizenship to certain children born on American soil is unconstitutional.

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#SCOTUS just issued a ruling that allows asylum seekers to be turned back at our borders. As a reminder, seeking asylum is not only legal in the U.S., it's a recognized human right. We must create a system rooted in compassion & justice that upholds our history of providing refuge to those in need.

BREAKING: SCOTUS ruled 6-3 that the Trump admin may proceed with terminating #TPS for nationals of #Haiti & #Syria. 🚨 The ruling clears the way for the administration to strip legal status and work authorization from roughly 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians. 📰 Full statement: bit.ly/44AiGgl

Refugees have always been part of the American story. Stand boldly with your neighbors—on #WorldRefugeeDay and every day! Take action today: globalrefuge.org/solidarity 🚨🔗 #RefugeeAwarenessMonth #RefugeesWelcome

At Global Refuge, we commemorate Juneteenth by recognizing that not all journeys to America were chosen, and continuing to advocate for the rights of all marginalized communities.

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today we commemorate Juneteenth, a day marking the end of slavery in the US. At Global Refuge, we recognize that not all journeys to America were chosen, and that the path to freedom for many did not end with emancipation. We will continue to stand with those who are fighting for their freedom.

Some of the big stars at this year's World Cup have refugee backgrounds. I spoke with the BBC about the sharp contrast between celebrating them and the drastic cuts to U.S. refugee admissions. www.bbc.com/news/article...

World Cup 2026: The rise of the refugee stars representing Germany, Canada, Australia and more

Germany and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, whose family fled Sierra Leone's civil war, is among those campaigning for a change in global attitudes around refugees.

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At Global Refuge, we are once again saying enough is enough. What’s happening at Delaney Hall is abhorrent and we simply cannot stand by and allow this treatment of immigrants to continue. And if the budget reconciliation is passed, this kind of detention will receive even more funding.

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Right now, immigrants at Delaney Hall and in other facilities across the country are on a hunger strike in protest of inhumane conditions including rotten food, unpaid labor, unhygienic facilities, and inadequate medical care. We can't stand by and allow this treatment to continue. 🚨⤵️

New analysis in a report from @nber.org and @colorado.edu underscores a critical point: immigration crackdowns aren’t translating into more jobs for Americans. In fact, the research shows reduced labor demand in key sectors—and fewer opportunities for U.S.-born workers.

Heightened ICE enforcement harms US-born workers, shrinks workforce

A new study shows that heightened immigration enforcement reduces employment opportunities for some U.S. born men while shrinking the overall workforce,

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My first LinkedIn newsletter is out today. If you're someone trying to navigate complexity without losing your sense of purpose — or your sense of humor — I hope you’ll subscribe and join me. www.linkedin.com/pulse/living...

Living With Big Questions in a Complicated World

Late at night, after I’ve sent my last email, my phone stops buzzing and my daughters are finally asleep, my mind drifts to everything I’ve pushed aside to get through the day. It’s the moment when th...

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On Memorial Day, we pause to remember all who gave their lives in service to this country, among them, the refugees and immigrants who chose this country as their own and then gave everything to defend it. We honor them today.

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This Memorial Day, we honor the incredible sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the service of our nation, including the many refugees and other immigrants who risked everything for their adopted home.

@krishvignarajah.bsky.social, President & CEO of Global Refuge, asks why Trump’s GOP is so anti-immigrant when “half of Fortune 500 companies were created by an immigrant or their child, patents and Nobel prizes are disproportionately awarded to immigrants.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=64cI...

'It doesn't line up with reality:' courts overwhelmingly rebuke ICE practices

YouTube video by MS NOW

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There’s a reason why ICE has lost 10,000 times in detention cases — and why it’s losing in the court of public opinion. My thoughts on @velshi.com about landmark reporting from @kyledcheney.bsky.social, who exposed the vast number of illegal detentions of Dreamers, children, refugees and more. 👇

Ali Velshi@velshi.com · 3mo ago

Judges overwhelmingly rebuke ICE practices in court. “The administration wants the narrative to line up with their campaign rhetoric, but it doesn’t line up with reality," says @krishvignarajah.bsky.social. "It never was about immigration enforcement and deterrence," adds @allenorr.bsky.social.

Judges overwhelmingly rebuke ICE practices in court. “The administration wants the narrative to line up with their campaign rhetoric, but it doesn’t line up with reality," says @krishvignarajah.bsky.social. "It never was about immigration enforcement and deterrence," adds @allenorr.bsky.social.

'It doesn't line up with reality:' courts overwhelmingly rebuke ICE practices

President Trump’s rhetoric about immigration is not matching up with how policy is playing out in the courts. According to an analysis by Politico, the administration has lost more than 10,000 cases in federal district courts, an overwhelming rebuke by judges of ICE’s practices and due process breaches. “The administration wants the narrative to line up with their campaign rhetoric but it doesn’t line up with reality,” Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, tells Ali Velshi.

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Please join me @velshimsnow.bsky.social 10a-1p w/ Mychael Schnell @osbornforne.bsky.social @krishvignarajah.bsky.social @allenorr.bsky.social @hartmannreport.com @stevenacook.bsky.social @stevebenen.com @cmgreer.bsky.social @daralind.bsky.social 1/2 #Velshi

Congrats to Jeopardy! champ Jamie Ding on his game winning streak and thanks for reminding America in our 250th year that immigrants contribute to every part of life here – even something as fun and seemingly “trivial” as a game show! www.usatoday.com/story/entert...

Jamie Ding hopes 'Jeopardy!' run shed 'positive light' on immigrants

The Princeton grad's 31-show winning streak came to an end earlier this week.

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How we treat children in our custody is a test of our national character. We have a responsibility to protect kids, not to rush them through deportation proceedings while simultaneously closing off the very pathways that allow them to reunite with family. www.cnn.com/2026/04/28/p...

Exclusive: Trump moves to accelerate deportations of migrant children in US custody | CNN Politics

The Trump administration is taking steps to accelerate the deportations of migrant children in US custody amid White House pressure to quickly move kids through the system, according to administration...

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"Tomorrow’s arguments carry enormous consequences, not just for Haitian & Syrian TPS holders, but potentially for more than a million people across 17 nationalities who rely on this protection." - @krishvignarajah.bsky.social 📰Read our full statement: bit.ly/4ua9lql #Haiti #Syria #TPS

STATEMENT: Supreme Court hearing on TPS for Haiti and Syria

Global Refuge released a statement in advance of the Supreme Court hearing on TPS for Haiti and Syria on April 29, 2026.

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We asked them to risk their lives for us. They did. We promised to bring them here. We haven't. Now we're offering them the Taliban or the DRC.   I joined @theweekendprime.bsky.social to talk about the 1,100 Afghan allies -- including 400 kids -- waiting to see if the US will keep its promise.

JOINING US - Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, Farnaz Fassihi, @levin.house.gov , @goangelo.bsky.social , @maxrose.bsky.social , Margaret Donovan, @krishvignarajah.bsky.social , @nikkimcr.bsky.social @davidlitt.bsky.social, @anthonycoley.bsky.social @jasonselvig.bsky.social

As Congress considers another budget bill this week, @globalrefuge.bsky.social joins millions across nine Christian denominations in calling for legislation that reflects just, humane immigration policy.

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Global Refuge joined millions of people across 9 Christian denominations in sharing a letter to Congress about DHS appropriations. As Congress considers another budget bill, we uplift this letter & continue to call for just, humane immigration policy. 📰 Read more: https://bit.ly/41KJjxZ

Stripping people of the ability to work doesn’t make anyone safer. It only makes asylum seekers more vulnerable to exploitation, to homelessness, to hunger – and more likely to be dependent on community resources. Your voice really matters here: globalrefuge.org/AsylumAction

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 4mo ago

ACTION ALERT: The US government announced a proposed rule that would effectively shut down access to work permits for asylum seekers. From now until April 24, the government is accepting public comments. Make your voice heard! Use our template to submit your comment today: https://bit.ly/4tr0UXU 🚨🔗

BREAKING: TPS for Haiti has passed in the House! Global Refuge is grateful for the bipartisan support that made this victory possible. 🎉 Thank you to those of you who contacted your representative! We urge the Senate to continue this push and secure lasting stability for Haitian neighbors.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley@pressley.house.gov · 4mo ago

IT'S OFFICIAL: The House has passed our extension of TPS for Haiti. This win wouldn't be possible without the strength & organizing of our movement to defend our Haitian neighbors. To those in the #MA7 & beyond, this is for you. The Senate must pick this up without delay.

Immigrants in America aren't just neighbors and community members. They're a critical part of our economy. The next time you hear someone question whether immigrants "contribute" — the numbers speak for themselves.

Global Refuge@globalrefuge.bsky.social · 4mo ago

On #TaxDay, let’s check the facts: In 2023 alone, immigrant households earned $2.4 trillion in income, contributed $419.8 billion in federal taxes, and paid $232.1 billion in state & local taxes, totaling $651.9 billion in tax contributions to the country they call home. 📈 Source: @immcouncil.org

TAKE ACTION: The admin has sought to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, potentially exposing hundreds of thousands of people to uncertainty, poverty, violence, and trauma. 🚨 Urge your Representative to preserve lawful status for Haitian neighbors: https://bit.ly/4cjwnUJ 🔗