Global Refuge: Tell Your Story

As we all know, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. 

Our nation's history is complex—but at Global Refuge, we're choosing to take the 250th as an opportunity to reflect on the incredible role refugees and other immigrants have had in the shaping of this country. 

To that end, we’re collecting stories that capture the immigration history of families across the U.S. Whether you're a first-generation immigrant yourself or descend from immigrants who arrived centuries ago, we invite you to share your American story in 250 words or less (and submit photos, if you have them!). If Global Refuge played a role in your family's resettlement journey, we'd love to know, but it's certainly not required. 

Our goal is to celebrate the countless contributions of newcomers throughout United States history and to show just how intrinsic migration has been and continues to be to the American story. We believe that empathy is built on understanding—and that we have far more in common than it might appear on the surface: a desire to create a safer, brighter future for ourselves and our families. 

Selected stories may be featured across our social media and communications throughout World Refugee Month in June. If you'd like to share, please send your name, city, and story to workofwelcome@globalrefuge.org with the subject line “My American Story.” 

We look forward to hearing from you!