Center for American Progress

Why We Must Protect U.S. Immigration Programs Across the Board
Video

Why We Must Protect U.S. Immigration Programs Across the Board

Ayuong, a former refugee from Sudan who now attends dental school in the United States, shares what it means to be a refugee.

Today, the same immigration programs that Black immigrants have used to come to the United States are under attack by critics who wish to dismantle or completely end them. These programs are at the heart of diversity within the Black immigrant population.

Ayuong is a former refugee from Sudan, whose family was resettled to Utica, New York, more than 20 years ago; she is now in her third year of dental school at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. It is important to protect access to immigration programs across the board that Ayuong and countless others have relied on, from the refugee resettlement program to the Diversity Visa Program, Temporary Protected Status, and the asylum system. 

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

Author

Zefitret Abera Molla

Former Research Associate, Immigration

Producers

Ala Al Sadi

Former Video Producer

Madalyn Reagan

Video Intern

Hai-Lam Phan

Senior Director, Creative

Team

A woman, originally from Bangladesh, holds her 7-month-old daughter as she recites the Pledge of Allegiance.

Immigration Policy

We aim to create a fair, humane, orderly, and workable immigration system to strengthen the United States.

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