Global Refuge’s Post

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: globalrefuge.org/identity

FACT: Refugees, people seeking asylum, and immigrants entering the country on visas are all able to obtain legal work permits. What’s more, foreign-born workers made up 18.6% of the civilian labor force in 2023. Immigrants are an essential part of the American workforce. Disinformation and hateful rhetoric about immigrants and refugees are everywhere…on social media, in political speeches, on the news, and beyond. At Global Refuge, we know the truth: immigrants and refugees make the United States a better place. Not only is welcoming newcomers the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Don’t believe what you read in the comments. Get the facts. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eizRCFdH

The work of welcome goes way back! (Don’t believe us? Check out that computer!) These ‘90s nostalgia #TBT photos from Fargo, ND show members of the community welcoming their newest neighbors. Since 1939, Global Refuge (formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has provided welcome and hope to more than three quarters of a million refugees. Learn more at globalrefuge.org/mission 🌎

After near-death experiences in his native country and over 20 years in a refugee camp in Nepal, Kul finally found safety and stability in America. Our Global Refuge North Dakota team helped Kul find his footing in his new country, and now, Kul is helping other refugees resettle and rebuild their lives. From starting a refugee education program to helping launch a community garden, Kul is transforming lives and sowing seeds of hope every day in Fargo’s growing refugee community.

FACT: Refugees and asylees contribute significantly to U.S. communities at the federal, state, and local level—both economically and culturally. Refugees and asylees contributed an estimated $581 billion in revenue to the U.S. economy from 2005 to 2019, and, in some cases, they pay into Social Security without reaping its benefits. Most importantly, they are our doctors and nurses, our well-known chefs, our favorite musicians, our overnight construction workers, our local shop owners, our neighbors, and so much more. Disinformation and hateful rhetoric about immigrants and refugees are everywhere…on social media, in political speeches, on the news, and beyond. At Global Refuge, we know the truth: immigrants and refugees make the United States a better place. Not only is welcoming newcomers the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Don’t believe what you read in the comments. Get the facts. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eizRCFdH

Join our team in the work of welcome! Browse 88 open positions at globalrefuge.org/careers. ¡Únete a nuestro equipo en la labor de bienvenida! Busque 88 puestos vacantes en globalrefuge.org/careers.

Forced to flee his home in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, Asad and his family resettled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he became a case manager for Global Refuge affiliate Samaritas. It wasn’t long before Asad discovered a need for fresh, Middle Eastern meats, spices, and other culturally specific items that were not sold in local stores. With the support of the community, Asad opened Afghan Halal International Market, which not only serves as a grocery store but a place where all local refugees can connect and support each other as they adjust to life in the U.S.

FACT: With nearly 8.5 million unfilled jobs nationwide and at a time of record-low unemployment, immigrants are essential to filling in the gaps in the American workforce. Immigrants are also more likely to contribute to job creation than displacement, with more than 55% of the country’s billion-dollar startups founded by immigrants. Disinformation and hateful rhetoric about immigrants and refugees are everywhere…on social media, in political speeches, on the news, and beyond. At Global Refuge, we know the truth: immigrants and refugees make the United States a better place. Not only is welcoming newcomers the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Don’t believe what you read in the comments. Get the facts. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eizRCFdH