A Weekend of Purpose: HMI Representing Refugee Voices Across Our Community
This past weekend, HMI showed up in full force across Southern California, carrying forward our mission of dignity, belonging, and hope for displaced families. From expert panels and community dialogues at CBU, to a philanthropic gathering in Mission Viejo, to a vibrant Alternative Gift Fair in Riverside, our team and partners spent three days strengthening connections, uplifting refugee narratives, and sharing the impact of our work. It was a weekend filled with heart, learning, and community, a reminder that when people come together with compassion, real change takes root.
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HMI Condemns Re-Screening of Vetted Refugee Families
Human Migration Institute (HMI) condemns the recent directive from USCIS to revisit the cases of more than 200,000 individuals who have already been admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Many of these individuals, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, underwent extensive, years-long security screening before arrival and have already begun the arduous process of rebuilding stable lives in the U.S.
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HMI in Community: Representing Our Mission Locally and Globally
This month, HMI proudly represented its mission on both global and local stages, from peacebuilding conversations in Athens to education and wellness discussions at UC Davis. These gatherings highlighted the heart of our work: creating pathways to dignity, belonging, and opportunity for newcomer families around the world and here at home.
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HMI 10th Anniversary Gala: Home, Hope, and Humanity
On the evening of Saturday, November 8th, 2025, Human Migration Institute (HMI) commemorated ten years of Home, Hope, and Voices of Humanity with our inaugural gala at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. This once in a decade celebration brought together sponsors, staff, newcomer families, volunteers, and special guests in one shared space of beauty, memory, and meaning.
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Laughter in the Fields: A Day with the Children of Torbalı
In Torbalı, the children have so little—no shoes, few clothes, no toys—yet what they share with us is immense: laughter, trust, and a generosity that humbles. One boy quietly gave away his only snack to the toddler in his care; a young girl, now too old for playtime, drew a house with a garden—a home she’s never had; a toddler learned a spider song in a language he didn’t know, but understood through joy. These small, luminous moments remind us why HMI is committed to building something lasting: a safe classroom, steady teaching, and a place where hope can take root.
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Double Header of Support: Resource Round‑Up + Digital Skills for Afghan Families
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, HMI hosted a dynamic “double header” of workshops that reflected our holistic approach to newcomer integration. The day featured two powerful sessions: a morning workshop focused on career pathway resources for refugees and an afternoon session tailored to the digital literacy needs of Afghan newcomer families.
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First-Ever Inland Empire Refugee Forum: A New Chapter for Collaboration
On September 17th, the first-ever Inland Empire Refugee Forum was held at UCR, uniting Riverside and San Bernardino County forums into one collaborative platform. Hosted by Human Migration Institute and Lifting Humanity, the forum brought together community partners, state and county representatives, and international students to highlight newcomer challenges, share stories, and set a vision for the future of refugee support in the Inland Empire.
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HMI Intensive Program: A Community-based Classroom, Where "Impossible" Becomes "Possible" and "Accessible”
For years, newcomer women from Afghanistan were told they couldn't go to school. Their education was taken from them under various circumstances. Imagine what it looks like when they finally get the chance to start over and go to school?
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Peace Day 2025: Coming Together for Unity and Hope
On September 20th, HMI hosted Peace Day 2025 at the Arlington Library alongside ICFOR and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. The event brought together community members and partners to celebrate peace, unity, and hope, with the support of local organizations dedicated to justice and compassion.
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Guest Blog: How Migrant Workers Can Find Real Support Inside Their Communities
In this guest blog, we explore the resilience of migrant workers and how they find strength and support within their communities. Their stories remind us that solidarity and compassion are powerful tools in building belonging and hope.
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