World Refugee Day: Understanding the Journey of Refugees
Every year on June 20, the world observes World Refugee Day, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, or disaster.
At Bridge Builders Network, World Refugee Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate the courage of refugee families but also to deepen understanding of who refugees are, why they come to the United States, and the challenges they face as they rebuild their lives.
Who Is a Refugee?
A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their home country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution based on factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Refugees cannot safely return home and often have no choice but to seek protection elsewhere.
Today, millions of people around the world have been displaced by war, violence, and political instability. While the causes vary, the common thread is that these individuals and families are seeking safety and the opportunity to live free from fear.
What Is the Difference Between a Refugee and an Asylum Seeker?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings.
Refugees are individuals who have been granted refugee status before entering the United States. They go through an extensive screening, vetting, and approval process while outside the country before being legally admitted for resettlement.
Asylum seekers are people who have already arrived in the United States and are requesting protection because they fear persecution if they return to their home country. Their case is reviewed through the U.S. immigration system after arrival.
Both refugees and asylum seekers are pursuing legal pathways to protection under U.S. and international law. While their legal processes differ, both groups are seeking safety from circumstances that threaten their lives, freedom, or well-being.
Why Do People Become Refugees?
People do not become refugees because they are looking for adventure or simply seeking better economic opportunities. Most would prefer to remain in their homes, surrounded by family, friends, language, culture, and community.
Instead, they flee because staying has become too dangerous.
Common reasons include:
Armed conflict and war
Political persecution
Religious persecution
Ethnic violence
Human rights abuses
Targeted threats against individuals or families
The decision to leave often comes after months or years of increasing danger and uncertainty.
The Refugee Journey: How People Come to the United States
The refugee resettlement process is often lengthy and complex.
For many refugees, the journey begins after they flee to a neighboring country where they may live in temporary housing, refugee camps, or urban communities.
Individuals seeking refugee status are first identified and referred for protection, often through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or other humanitarian organizations.
From there, applicants undergo multiple interviews, background checks, security screenings, medical examinations, and eligibility reviews. The process can take years.
Only after being approved can refugees be matched with a resettlement country, such as the United States. Once they arrive, local resettlement agencies and community organizations help them begin rebuilding their lives.
This support may include:
Housing assistance
School enrollment
Employment support
English language instruction
Healthcare navigation
Community connections and cultural orientation
Afghanistan: A Recent Example
The experiences of Afghan families illustrate why refugee protections are so important.
For decades, Afghanistan experienced conflict, political instability, and violence. Following the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, many Afghans faced serious risks because of their work, beliefs, or affiliations.
Among those at heightened risk were:
Women leaders and advocates
Journalists
Human rights activists
Religious and ethnic minorities
Individuals who worked alongside U.S. military forces, international organizations, or democratic institutions
Many families were forced to leave behind homes, careers, possessions, and loved ones in order to seek safety.
Some Afghan refugees spent months or years in third countries while awaiting processing and resettlement. Others arrived with little more than a few personal belongings and the hope of building a secure future for their children.
Despite these challenges, Afghan families across the United States have demonstrated remarkable resilience, starting businesses, pursuing education, contributing to local communities, and enriching the places they now call home.
What Happens After Arrival?
For refugees, arrival is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new chapter.
Many newcomers face challenges such as learning a new language, finding employment, understanding unfamiliar systems, and rebuilding social networks from scratch.
At Bridge Builders Network, we see firsthand the determination, resilience, and generosity that refugee and immigrant families bring to our communities. Through relationship-building, mentorship, practical support, and community engagement, we help create opportunities for newcomers and long-time residents to build meaningful connections across cultures.
How You Can Support Refugees Through Bridge Builders Network
World Refugee Day is more than a day of awareness. It is an opportunity to become part of the welcome.
You can support refugee and immigrant families through Bridge Builders Network by:
Making a financial donation to support programs and services for refugees
Volunteering your time as a mentor, volunteer, or community partner
Participating in cultural events, community gatherings, and educational programs held by Bridge Builders, or other refugee non-profits
Inviting friends, coworkers, and neighbors to learn about the refugee experience
Partnering with Bridge Builders Network as a business, faith community, school, or civic organization
Advocating for welcoming communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and thrive
Every contribution, whether through time, resources, or relationships, helps build stronger and more connected communities.
Looking Forward
Behind every refugee statistic is a person: a parent seeking safety for their children, a student hoping to continue their education, or a family working to rebuild after unimaginable loss.
This World Refugee Day, we honor the courage of refugees around the world and celebrate the communities that welcome them.
At Bridge Builders Network, we believe that stronger communities are built through connection. By creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to learn from one another, support one another, and build relationships, we can help ensure that those forced to flee are met not with fear or misunderstanding, but with dignity, opportunity, and hope.
This World Refugee Day, we invite you to join us in building bridges of understanding, belonging, and opportunity for our newest neighbors.