A Reflection on Advocacy Days 2025

Jun 8, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

From the Hill to the Heart: My First RCUSA Advocacy Days

June 2025 | Washington, DC

This past week, I had the chance to attend my very first RCUSA National Advocacy Days- and I'm still sitting with everything I experienced.

I came in as part of the Refugees Collective Storytellers, a cohort of advocates from across the country. We gathered to reflect on the power of stories-not just as testimony, but as tools for change. The energy in that space was something special. We laughed, we got quiet, we showed up fully. One participant shared a phrase I'll carry with me:

"Hold on to the lessons, but don't hold on to the story."

It was a reminder that while our past shapes us, we don't have to stay defined by it.

Stepping Into the Capitol for the First Time

As a first-timer in DC, walking into the Capitol buildings was surreal. The old wooden elevators, the underground train, the sheer history in every hallway-it was a lot to take in.

But what grounded me most were the people I was with: fellow advocates, many of whom carry lived experience, showing up to speak truth with courage and grace.

Together, we met with congressional offices from both sides of the aisle. Our message was clear and focused:

Invest in refugee, asylee, and humanitarian protection programs
Restore and strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)
Uphold due process and protect the integrity of the asylum system
Support key legislation like the Afghan Adjustment Act, GRACE Act, Refugee Protection Act, Stateless Protection Act, Climate Displaced Persons Act, and the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act

We also voiced concerns about the FY 2026 budget proposal, which threatens to eliminate critical funding for things like refugee medical assistance, English classes, and job training. These programs aren't optional-they're essential.

A Moment That Hits Different

Right as Advocacy Days kicked off, news broke about another travel ban. It was a heavy moment. These policies aren't just words on paper-they stir real fear in our communities.

But being together that week reminded me that there's strength in showing up, even when it's hard. I was especially grateful to connect with so many advocates I admire-people doing the day-to-day work in their communities to fight for dignity, justice, and welcome.

Read more on the travel ban and its impact: https://www.rescue.org/article/trump-latest-travel-ban

The City That Tells Its Own Story

Beyond the meetings, I took time to explore DC. I found tiny restaurants with food that tasted like home, stumbled across vibrant murals, and caught glimpses of everyday beauty around every corner. For a first visit, it was deeply meaningful. The contrast between policy discussions in the Capitol and the art and culture in the streets wasn't lost on me. Both told powerful stories.