By Janet Howard | Editorial credit: Nelson Antoine / shutterstock.com 

On June 20, the world observed World Refugee Day, a time to recognize the courage and contributions of people who have fled conflict, persecution, and climate disasters. The 2025 theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” could not be more timely or urgent.

With over 120 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, the urgency of the refugee crisis demands that solidarity must mean more than symbolic gestures. It must translate into immediate and impactful action. And in the United States, under President Donald Trump’s second term, that call has never been harder to answer—or more necessary.

The current administration has dramatically scaled back refugee admissions, reducing the cap to fewer than 10,000 annually. Asylum seekers are once again being detained in expanded facilities, with the “Remain in Mexico” policy revived and enforced. The refugee resettlement infrastructure—painstakingly rebuilt during the Biden administration—is now under siege.

These policies don’t just shape numbers. They shape lives.

Consider Amina, a 27-year-old Afghan woman who fled the Taliban in 2023. Her path to the U.S. took her through Central America, only to end in months of detention at the southern border. Today, she volunteers in San Diego, helping other refugee women navigate the same system that nearly broke her. “World Refugee Day is not just about remembering us—it’s about fighting for our right to live safely,” she told me.

She’s not alone. Many cities and communities have stepped up despite the federal government’s stance. In places like Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York, local organizations and faith-based groups continue to provide legal aid, housing, and access to education for newly arrived refugees. These communities are a testament to the power of collective action, understanding that solidarity means offering a lifeline—not turning away.

World Refugee Day isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about upholding the right to seek asylum, offering durable solutions like resettlement, and ensuring that refugees have access to health care, employment, and education. Inclusion isn’t charity—it’s justice, and it benefits us all.

We must reject the idea that safety is a zero-sum game. Refugees don’t weaken societies—they enrich them. They are educators, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and neighbors. And most importantly, they bring a resilience that inspires us all, showing that even in the face of adversity, humanity can prevail.

It is disheartening that the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda, now reinforced by a Republican-controlled Congress, is once again criminalizing migration, dismantling asylum protections, and closing America’s doors. But solidarity, at its core, is resistance. It’s a refusal to let cruelty define policy.

Remember that solidarity is not passive on this World Refugee Day. It requires compassion but also courage. We can start by demanding policy reform, supporting local refugee services, and listening to the stories of those who have been displaced—not just on June 20, but every day.

Because in the face of fear and division, standing with refugees isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s who we claim to be.

Call to Action 

Now more than ever, we must continue to show solidarity with refugees. This is a pivotal moment in history. Inthese dark, uncertain times, we must not let hope slip away. We all have a stake in deciding what kind of world wewant to live in. Do we choose empathy or apathy? If you believe that refugee rights and refugee lives matter, now is the time to make your voice count. In big and small ways, let us show up for refugees