Seventy-five years ago, the world made a promise.
In the aftermath of World War II, nations came together to adopt the 1951 Refugee Convention, establishing a shared commitment to protect people fleeing persecution and violence. At its heart is the principle of non-refoulement—the promise that no one should be returned to a place where their life or freedom is at risk.
The United States reaffirmed that commitment through the 1967 Protocol and the bipartisan Refugee Act of 1980. Since then, millions of refugees have found safety, opportunity, and a place to call home, enriching the communities that welcomed them.
At Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), our ministry of welcome began in 1945, serving refugees forced to flee their homes during World War II. Rooted in our Lutheran faith and the call to welcome the stranger, we have stood alongside refugees and immigrants for decades, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity, hope, and opportunity.
For those we serve, the promise of safety is the beginning of a new chapter.
"The dreams that we had to go to the United States were a big deal. We knew everything would change for us," recalled an LSSNCA program participant from Afghanistan whose family's life was at risk.
His story reflects a tradition that has shaped America for generations. Two hundred and fifty years after declaring independence, the United States remains a nation shaped by people seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity. While our history includes both voluntary migration, forced displacement, and the painful legacy of slavery, it also tells the story of generations who built stronger communities through perseverance, hard work, and hope. Refugees continue that story today. Throughout our history, generations of newcomers have strengthened our communities and enriched our nation.
Yet, as we commemorate this milestone, we do so at a time when global displacement remains alarmingly high and protections for refugees are under increasing strain. In the United States, policies have increasingly restricted access to safety for people fleeing persecution. Refugee admissions have been sharply reduced, humanitarian funding has declined, and many of the programs that help newcomers rebuild their lives have been scaled back. At a time when more people than ever need protection, pathways to safety are becoming increasingly limited.
"Our nation's strength has never come from closing doors to those seeking refuge—it has come from our willingness to welcome people with courage, compassion, and hope," said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. "When we narrow pathways to protection, we risk turning away from values that have defined America's leadership for generations. The promise made 75 years ago is one we must continue to keep."
As we honor both America's 250th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention this month, may we recommit ourselves to building a nation that lives up to its highest ideals by extending hope, protection, and opportunity to those who need it most.
Tell Your Elected Officials: Protect Our Freedom to Welcome
We call on policymakers to protect the right to seek safety, strengthen pathways to protection, and invest in the programs that help communities thrive.
