World Refugee Day was established by the United Nations in 2000 to honor the strength and resilience of displaced people fleeing conflict or persecution. After living in the U.S. for five years, refugees are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. As we celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20th, we reflect on refugees who have closed the distance in becoming citizens, integrating not only by way of their status, but also in their activism, community support and passion for supporting others. 

Taameem's Story

Picture yourself sitting around a table with friends, family and community members to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas. Imagine the traditional meals, music, decorations and clothing. After arriving in the U.S. in 2007, Taameem, a former refugee from Iraq, now U.S. citizen, found great joy in embracing American holidays and customs with her fellow Iraqi-community members as she built a home in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. 

Taameem grew up in Baghdad and was on the path to completing a degree in electrical engineering. Due to war, Taameem made the challenging decision to put her goals on pause to seek safety in the U.S., where she was resettled by the IRC in Silver Spring. The IRC helped Taameem find safe and affordable housing. Within a year of arriving, she started working as a caseworker, supporting other humanitarian immigrants find work, housing and community. 

Having worked as a caseworker for five years, Taameem’s passion for supporting the Iraqi community members led her to work at the Iraq Foundation and American Islamic Congress. Alongside this career, Taameem went on to finish her academic pursuits, graduating from the University of Maryland – College Park with her bachelor’s degree in physics. She achieved a life-long goal of earning her degree and now works in data analytics for a federal contractor. 

Taameem continues to be a changemaker and organizer, creating a community network that eases the transition of many as they first step foot in the U.S. From connecting fellow newcomers to jobs at the local Afghan restaurant to befriending and supporting an elderly couple whose children eventually came to also live in the U.S., Taameem closes the distance and creates community. Gathering together, Taameem and Iraqi community members created a space to play games, share meals and have fun, emulating traditions and community from their countries of origin while incorporating American customs.

In January 2013, Taameem became a U.S. citizen. She reflects on what this means, being a former refugee and current citizen, and is ultimately proud of the many successes she and her peers have achieved in the U.S., finding work, community and stability. Many years later, Taameem has not only integrated into her community here in the U.S. but supported countless local newcomers as they found community of their own. 

Rachel's Story

As a member of the Kumuri Prayer Group, Rachel gathers weekly with women from South Sudan, both in times of need and celebration, to provide mutual support. Known for their resilience and strength, the group adopted the name Kumuri after the shea tree, known in the county where Rachel is from in South Sudan to be a powerful and sustainable resource. Despite facing many hardships, Rachel is an impactful community leader here in the U.S., connecting her story and that of her community to the Kumuri tree. 

After facing war and civil unrest, Rachel and her family sought refuge in Kenya for three years before she and her daughter left for the U.S. in September 1994. Navigating a new country and culture as a single-mother, Rachel managed multiple administrative jobs before joining the IRC in October 1999. She was excited and passionate about working in the non-profit and resettlement sector when she began and she continues to be an integral part of the IRC today.  

Rachel supported and established multiple programs across the IRC offices in Baltimore and Silver Spring through her career Now, as a Department of Justice-accredited immigration representative, Rachel supports clients navigate green card, citizenship or other immigration processes, completing their immigration journey. After earning U.S. citizenship herself in 2001, Rachel is especially honored and humbled to provide skilled immigration services newcomers in their journey towards citizenship. 

In addition to her work at IRC, Rachel is an active leader and organizer at her church and within the South Sudanese community. She coordinates weekly prayer calls with the Kumuri Prayer group as well as holiday celebrations and conferences to connect and uplift those around her. Expressing appreciation for her support network, Rachel shares that after losing a family member back home in South Sudan, a local pastor joined her and her family in prayer at their home to ease the burden.  

Rachel emphasized that “It’s important to be connected – it makes life easier. If I stumble, you lift me up. If you stumble, I come and lift you up.”

Local newcomers shape our community in so many impactful ways. Whether connecting friends and family to job openings, organizing faith-based groups or simply uplifting those around them, we are grateful every day for leaders such as Taameem and Rachel, helping close the distance between fellow newcomers in our community.