Ensuring the well-being of our family is paramount for many of us. Can you imagine what you would do to reunify members of your family if you were separated through the vagaries and violence of forced displacement?
Family reunification is an essential principle and process of both refugee resettlement and immigration policy, as implemented by the U.S. government. Thus, it makes sense that EMM, like each of the 10 national organizations that contract with the federal government to oversee refugee resettlement, has staff who specialize in family reunification programs.
Next up in our series, “EMM at Work,” is Sarah Neiheiser, Program Officer and specialist in family reunification at EMM.
The objective of this series of short videos featuring members of the EMM headquarters staff is to help you better understand our mission and work. We want you to know who we are, what we do, and how you can join or support us in this vital work.
We invite you to spend a minute with Sarah Neiheiser. Listen as she explains the principles and programs that comprise family reunification. Drawing on her deep experience, Sarah helps us understand why family reunification is needed, the many steps and multilayered scrutiny involved in the process, and the crucial impact that these programs have for the well-being of refugees and other newcomers.
And should you find yourself inspired to want to do more, we invite you to take our Ways to Welcome assessment. We also encourage you, as Sarah suggests, to find EMM affiliates or other refugee-serving organizations in your community where you can participate in welcoming our newest neighbors and their loved ones.
