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Not only is restoring welcome the right thing to do as humans and as Americans, this week's meetings with fellow Virginians affirmed that I am not alone in believing that "it is vital to our nation."

University campuses are some of the most vibrant centers for bridging learning with activism. Learn how some community partner campus chapters are getting involved in support of refugees.

Our friends who are forcibly displaced and restart in a new country do so with little to no planning, little to no resources, and little to no control. I had to make a conscious decision to set aside my own feelings and meet them where they are.

If you have a story, experience or opinion to share in support of our Afghan allies, we ask you to share it to help us demonstrate public support for legislation that supports and aids these individuals and families.

Resettling into a new country can be more challenging when you don't know where to turn for help. USAHello.org makes information and resources available to those who have newly arrived in the United States. Welcome.US matches resettlement agencies' in-kind needs with businesses and community leaders who want to help.

Upon completing the course, these future physicians not only have a greater understanding of refugees’ experiences and needs but also are providing solutions to many of the challenges of successful integration.

How does a refugee move forward in a new country? How do they bridge the gaps they face that are necessary for integration into a new place? Most importantly, how do they learn the language fast enough to get a job and be productive in their communities? One ESL program in Virginia's southeast region targeting mothers and children conducts classes over Zoom, offering both language skills and a sense of community for women who are often more isolated.

In partnership with NoVa Friends of Refugees, we have provided a list of the most relevant proposals for the refugee and immigrant communities, organized by policy category, and encourage our local readers to stay updated and contact your representatives for those issues about which you feel strongly. We have found our elected officials' staff to be easy to talk to and, in our experience, responsive to our emails. The Virginia General Assembly is in session until February 27. Call or write today!

As much as my newcomer friends may need help in successfully integrating into their new communities, the rest of us have much to gain from their lived experience, maybe especially in a pandemic-filled world of uncertainty.