A proposal put forward by the Trump administration seeks to slash foreign aid by a third, a deep and disproportionate cut that will have life and death consequences for the world’s most vulnerable, and put the health, security and prosperity of Americans at risk.

Fresh from filming the latest season of Showtime’s Homeland, actor and activist Mandy Patinkin recently traveled to Uganda with the International Rescue Committee to see what happens when refugees are welcomed with open arms.

Among the dozens of refugees who recently visited Washington, D.C. to tell their stories to Congress, here are fo new Americans who exemplify their vision of hope and acceptance.