WASHINGTON, D.C. — This year, against the backdrop of the federal government’s continued assault on migrants, newcomers, and long-standing immigrant communities, the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) observes International Migrants Day by recognizing that immigrants are not just part of the American story, but woven into the fabric of our nation at every level. We acknowledge that migration is a natural part of the human condition, and that the freedom to move in search of safety, dignity, and opportunity is a universal human right. 

As we recognize this year’s International Migrants Day, we denounce xenophobic, nativist rhetoric and mischaracterization of immigrant communities in the United States—especially the recent, hateful rhetoric from the President and members of Congress who continue to divide our nation, threatening the safety and stability of those we serve. The United States has a moral obligation to build communities of belonging, safety, and opportunity through safe pathways for migration for vulnerable people across the world. 

Said Nicole Melaku, NPNA executive director, “This International Migrants Day, we are reminded that everyone, regardless of where they were born, wants safety and stability for their loved ones. Families and individuals are forced to move when staying means danger. That’s why protecting the freedom to move isn’t political—it’s about recognizing that every person, family, and child has the right to seek safety and build a secure life.

“However, our current political reality—filled with hateful rhetoric, executive overreach, racist travel bans, and a systematic denial of due process—is steeped in unnecessary cruelty. We want to say to our allies across the nation and in Congress: For the safety and well-being of us all, we must refuse to turn against one another. Instead, we must forge the world we want to live in. We must continue to hold the federal government accountable, defend due process, and remain in solidarity, regardless of where our neighbor is from. Now is the time for brave, bold action to address migration in a compassionate and humane framework.”

International Migrants Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2000 to raise awareness about the complex environment of migration, which is driven by factors like conflict, climate disasters, and economic pressures. 

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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of 88 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across over 42 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant and refugee equity and inclusion, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation. See our website for more information at partnershipfornewamericans.org.