New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research
BE A FORCE FOR GOOD
Refugee Community Building Conference ‘26
Announcing…
Our Mission
The New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research (NAAPR) builds the prosperity, influence, and inclusion of refugees and immigrants through policy advocacy, education, research, and community-driven programs.
A Bold Idea
The Issue
Despite the contributions of refugees and immigrants to the economic, intellectual, and cultural success of the United States, there is a persistent narrative that portrays them as a burden to society and a threat to American national security. Understanding how this narrative informs immigration and resettlement policies is key to the prosperity, inclusion, and influence of New Americans.
The figure of the refugee has always had political dimensions and policy implications. Before and during the Cold War, refugees and immigrants were viewed as heroes and associated with political dissidence, making them worthy of resettlement in the United States.
Today, refugees and immigrants are commonly presented as individuals without personal or political agency, devoid of valued skills, who seek a home in the United States to inflict harm and drain its resources.
Neither view paints the complete picture.
Our work is dedicated to reshaping the dominant narrative of refugees and immigrants with a fundamental belief in them as courageous defenders of freedom who contribute to the well-being and strength of the United States in multiple ways. It will take time, but we have to start now.
SHOW UP
900,000 individuals become U.S. Citizens each year
Showing up for these new Americans means more than attending a ceremony; it is a powerful declaration of your commitment to our communities and a claim to essential human rights, from protection against deportation to the power of the vote. At NAAPR, we believe that when immigrants show up to naturalize, they don't just change their own lives—they strengthen our democracy, revitalize our local economies, and ensure that every voice in our community is heard.
BE BOLD
85.7 million immigrants and their U.S. born children live in this country
Boldness is a defining trait of the immigrant spirit, woven into the fabric of these communities. Our growing immigrant population thrives because of the courage it takes to build a life in a new land and the audacity to dream across generations. We recognize that our strength lies in our collective efforts; in the act of stepping out of the shadows, claiming space in our schools and workplaces, and ensuring our stories shape the national narrative. When we stand together, our united presence isn't just a statistic—it’s a powerful, undeniable force for progress.
BE A VOICE
3.7 million refugees and asylees have been admitted since 1980
To Be A Voice is to advocate for the dignity and protection of those who have been forced to leave everything behind. Since the passage of the Refugee Act of 1980, the United States has admitted over 3.7 million refugees and asylees, individuals who arrived seeking safety from persecution and conflict. Using our collective voice ensures these millions of neighbors aren't just statistics, but active participants in our democracy with access to legal aid, shelter, and resettlement services. When we speak up, we honor the promise of haven that has defined this country for over four decades and ensure that the next generation of arrivals finds a community ready to welcome them.
What We Do
Our fundamental belief is that New Americans have the power, knowledge, and will to effect change. By engaging New Americans in all aspects of civic life, we build their influence through:
Education
We gather data about refugees and immigrants to disrupt the false narratives surrounding them. We facilitate interactions among policymakers, scholars, local communities, and New Americans to enhance the quality of public dialogue and understanding of current refugee, immigration, and resettlement policies.
Research
New Americans have the knowledge, lived experience, and wisdom to lead the social changes necessary to generate equity. With a commitment to elevating New Americans' voices, we partner with our community members, public and private institutions, academics, and community-based organizations to conduct research that gives New Americans the platform they need to inform social change. We provide programs that are community-informed and community-driven.
Policy
We disseminate articles about existing policy to inform the public, and New Americans, of how public policies affect New Americans' access to education, good jobs, leadership opportunities, and healthcare. We provide opportunities for New Americans to become policy advocates for themselves, so they can change discriminatory policies.
Advocacy
Our grassroots movement allows New Americans to take action, connect, flex their political power, and act on behalf of their unique needs and life experiences. This is imperative to developing the leadership necessary to harness the power of New Americans
Why Our Work Matters
By disseminating the data and research collected by NAAPR, we aim to add to policy discussions and public dialogue that impact the prosperity, inclusion, and influence of New Americans.
We aim to be a leading voice on U.S. refugee resettlement, advocating for the responsible management of this process and ensuring that refugees are provided the resources to succeed in the United States.
We highlight the factors contributing to forced migration, the world-wide refugee crisis, and the effect of U.S. immigration and refugee admission policies. In doing so, we will work to ensure more equitable immigration and resettlement policies.
We put New American voices at the center of everything we do.