Global Refuge

Welcoming newcomers since 1939. 🌏 Formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). President & CEO: @krishvignarajah

[Global Refuge @GlobalRefuge]

We are thrilled to announce that Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) will now be known to the world & the people we serve as “Global Refuge.” 🌍🎉

New name, same mission. We invite you to learn more: https://t.co/zH1H11yrsJ

#GlobalRefuge #WorkofWelcome

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

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 @alivelshi about landmark reporting from @kyledcheney, who exposed the vast # of illegal detentions of Dreamers, children, refugees and more. 👇

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

We also talked about how the WH built its entire political brand on the idea that it's tough on illegal immigration, but respects the legal kind.

The data has now called that bluff —thanks to illuminating research by @David_J_Bier, showing 72% of cuts came from LEGAL pathways.

[Global Refuge @GlobalRefuge]

Thank you @RepTimKennedy and @RepGraceMeng for leading a Congressional letter demanding reversal of the harmful refugee detention policy. Refugees deserve the security and safety they were promised, and the U.S. must keep its word.

📰 Full letter: https://t.co/rm3onWNfDN

[Tim Young @Young25Tim]

Essential reporting from @jazmineulloa and @mirjordan about the attempted dismantling of TPS headed to SCOTUS, but also this administration’s wider backsliding on US humanitarian commitments — featuring insight from @KrishVignarajah of @GlobalRefuge 👇

https://t.co/YwEWz3BGsE

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

The U.S. has spent 80 years building the infrastructure that allows people fleeing persecution to reach safety.

Brick by brick, what's being torn down is the architecture of a commitment this country made to the world (and to ourselves) about what kind of nation we wanted to be.

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

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 @MSNOWNews to talk about the 1,100 Afghan allies -- including 400 kids -- waiting to see if the US will keep its promise.

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

The House has passed TPS for Haiti! @GlobalRefuge is grateful for the bipartisan support that made this victory possible.🎉 @RepPressley @RepMikeLawler @RepLauraGillen @RepMikeCarey @RepCarlos @RepNicole #RepMcCormick

We urge the Senate to secure stability for Haitian neighbors!

[Leslie Archambeault @LeslieGoestoDC]

Grateful to the Senators who spoke against a new proposal that'd harm the ability of asylum seekers to support their families and contribute to their communities, inc. @SenAngusKing @SenJackyRosen @SenBlumenthal

Take your own action today: https://t.co/aXb3ViA7K1

@GlobalRefuge

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

A broken promise and a betrayal of America’s longest wartime allies.

The State Dep’t says it's closing Camp As-Sayliyah today, where ~1,100 Afghan allies have been stranded, with some offered money to return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

My take in @scrippsnews 👇

[Global Refuge @GlobalRefuge]

Thank you @RepPressley for your leadership alongside 217 House colleagues, including @RepMikeLawler, @RepBrianFitz, @RepMariaSalazar, and @RepDonBacon, on successfully forcing a floor vote to extend #TPS for 350,000 Haitian neighbors seeking safety in the U.S.! 🎉

[Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley @RepPressley]

BREAKING: After weeks of organizing, we have reached the majority necessary to force a vote to extend Haiti TPS.

Thank you to our coalition and everyone fighting for this critical lifeline for the 350,000 Haitian nationals.

Our neighbors are so deserving.

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

STATEMENT: After a year of policies that have imperiled lawfully admitted refugees, shuttered legal pathways, and abandoned US commitments to those who stood with America, Sec. Mullin’s confirmation should serve as an opportunity for the administration to course-correct.

🧵1/

[Arash Yaqin آرش يقين @ArashYaqin]

Reza was the Hervé Pierre of Kabul. Every one of us dreamed to be dressed by him. With the fall of Kabul, Reza’s famous boutique Barg also fall. But like many refugees, Reza took that potential and stood up again. Thanks to Global Refuge team for supporting him. @KrishVignarajah

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

My thoughts in @nytimes on POTUS’ offer of protection amid the wider dismantling of legal pathways:

“Consistency is key. Protect the Iranian players, absolutely — but also restore functioning humanitarian systems for everyone else facing persecution.”

https://t.co/9fmbzD9iTc

[Tim Young @Young25Tim]

Green card holders can no longer access SBA-backed loans. As @KrishVignarajah writes:

"Some of America’s most recognizable companies, including Under Armour, Nike, Apple, FedEx, Ben & Jerry’s and Chobani, received early support through SBA-backed financing. Among today’s green card-holding borrowers may be the next generation of companies that anchor regional economies and employ thousands of American workers"

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

America’s competitive advantage has *never* been restricting who can build businesses.

Our superpower is that we welcome into our country those willing to create them.

My op-ed on why a new SBA rule could slow small business growth and job creation.
https://t.co/MS4UaLlRqX

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

Horrific and unacceptable.

Nurul Amin Shah Alam came here through legal pathways, fleeing religious persecution and genocide.

Instead of the safety he was promised, he appears to have been abandoned by federal immigration agents -- blind and alone on a freezing cold night.

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

ICYMI: I joined @TheWorld to discuss immigration policy.

As I told @carolynbeeler, what we have witnessed is a fundamental re-engineering of America’s immigration system in a manner wholly untethered to humanitarian purpose or legal coherence. 👇🎧

https://t.co/JKToryJPas

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

🧵 NEW: The senseless killing of Alex Pretti, an American citizen, a dedicated ICU nurse, and a caregiver to those who served our country, is a shocking tragedy that never should have happened.

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FULL STATEMENT: https://t.co/yXGeVQMMxl

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

NEW: @GlobalRefuge strongly condemns the Trump administration’s arrest & detention of lawfully resettled refugees in Minnesota, upending decades of U.S. policy and inflicting needless harm on families who were invited to rebuild their lives in safety.

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https://t.co/nccCv4kShr

[Global Refuge @GlobalRefuge]

“We can’t lose sight of who these neighbors are: caregivers, essential workers, small-business owners, veterans, faith leaders — families who have lived here for years, paid taxes, and raised American children.”

[Krish O'Mara Vignarajah @KrishVignarajah]

Joined @AliVelshi to discuss immigration restrictions, many of which were underway before the tragic shooting in DC. What’s new and deeply troubling is the attempt to retroactively tie them to one heinous crime and cast suspicion on entire nationalities – including Afghan allies.