AKRON, OH – December 4, 2025 –
In the wake of the recent tragedy in Washington, we are reminded once again how quickly entire communities can be painted with suspicion and blame. Recent comments targeting Afghan evacuees deepen the harm, reducing families who have fled violence and loss to political talking points. This rhetoric does not make our nation safer; it only dehumanizes people who sought refuge here and are working every day to rebuild their lives.
Afghans in the United States are parents, students, workers, and neighbors. They came here because they believed America could offer safety and stability. Many supported U.S. efforts abroad, and thousands endured years of conflict before being evacuated. Their stories are complex, but above all, they are human. They deserve to be spoken about as individuals, not defined by one incident or used as fuel for broader political attacks.
For years, communities, advocates, and organizations across the country have been calling for comprehensive immigration reform. That advocacy has never stopped. What has failed is our political system’s ability to act. Our immigration laws should not shift every four years with a new administration. They should reflect the bipartisan consensus that our current system is outdated, inconsistent, and in urgent need of repair.
People are frustrated with both parties, because Congress has allowed dysfunction to replace progress. Each delay leaves millions of human beings caught in limbo, navigating rules that change faster than any family can keep up with. Immigrants who are not yet citizens bear the heavy burden of this instability, repeatedly used as scapegoats in political fights when all they want is to live safely, work, and contribute to their communities.
We need a system that is humane, consistent, and rooted in dignity. We can honor public safety while also honoring the humanity of those who come to this country seeking protection. Real reform is how we do that. It is long past time for Congress to come together, move beyond rhetoric, and finally build an immigration system worthy of the values we claim to uphold.