We are grateful to the many community members who gathered with us in person to begin the new year with Refuge America. Coming together in January was necessary. It gave us space to reflect, to tell the truth about the moment we are in, and to recommit to each other.

Last year was one of the most difficult years for refugee resettlement in the United States. The Trump administration’s decision to halt refugee resettlement directly impacted our core work, including community sponsorship, one of the most effective ways LGBTQI+ people reach safety. This disruption did not stop our community. Instead, we adapted. We launched the Rainbow Relief Fund to provide direct support to people in immigration detention and critical assistance after release.

At the same time, new barriers continue to rise. Asylum and work authorization fees have increased. Federal funding has been cut. Systems that once offered limited protection to immigrant communities are being actively dismantled. These policies create real harm. They delay safety, restrict legal work, and push people further into precarity.

We gathered on January 22nd shortly after the death of Renee at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We understood clearly that the work ahead would be harder. Refuge America depends on court watchers, community witnesses, and people willing to show up and pay attention. These acts of collective care are not optional. They are essential tools of protection.

The Long Table gathering reminded us of what is possible when we slow down, listen, and act together. From the voice of Anisoke, to grounding practices, shared stories, honest dialogue, and food from Eat Off Beat, the evening created space for clarity and resolve. We reaffirmed our responsibility to those in detention and to international movements resisting persecution.

We were honored to hear from Creflo, an asylum seeker living in New York City. His story grounded the conversation in urgency. It reminded us that behind every policy debate are people waiting for permission to work, to live, and to move forward. Media narratives do not end persecution. Community action does.

We closed the evening by recommitting to Building Beloved Communities, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This vision is practical. It asks us to share responsibility, protect one another, and build systems rooted in dignity rather than punishment.

As we look toward Refuge America 2026, the need is clear and the stakes are high. Our work depends on sustained community support. We invite you to contribute and stand with LGBTQI+ asylum seekers who are navigating an increasingly hostile system.