Humanitarian Aid: Why the US Should Welcome Refugees

A Journey to American Shores

In December of 1991, approximately twenty days prior to the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union, my family arrived in San Francisco as individuals granted refuge due to religious persecution. I was a nine-year-old child experiencing my inaugural flight and found myself captivated by the city’s towering skyline as we traveled by car. The sensation was akin to entering a future era.

Limited Possessions, Immense Hope

My parents possessed very little in the way of material wealth. They lacked formal degrees or specialized professional skills, and were initially unable to communicate in English. They carried only a few hundred dollars, representing the proceeds from the sale of nearly all our belongings in Russia. They also discovered that half of our luggage – rudimentary bags crafted by my mother from repurposed floor coverings – had been lost during transport.

A Foundation of Compassion

Our relocation wasn’t facilitated by an employer seeking specific expertise, nor by an evaluation of our economic potential as immigrants. Instead, it was enabled by the compassion of numerous Americans who recognized the inherent worth of individuals seeking improved lives. This included those who petitioned Congress to increase refugee allowances, sponsors who generously shared their homes, incomes, and lives with arriving families, and organizations like World Relief, which provided unsecured loans to cover travel expenses for those unable to afford them – all without anticipating financial returns.

The Challenges of Integration

Adjusting to life in the United States presented significant challenges. Our family depended on public assistance for several years while our parents studied English in evening classes and explored various avenues for supporting our family of eight. Unable to secure permanent employment, my father undertook numerous freelance assignments, including cutting leather for footwear, assembling electronic components, and translating documents from English to Russian. He ultimately established a business focused on computer repair and maintenance.

A Commitment to Reciprocity

Throughout this period, I observed my parents consistently striving to repay the kindness extended to us. They instilled in me the understanding that all honest work holds dignity, regardless of its perceived prestige. Even a decade later, our financial situation remained precarious; as I prepared for college, our entire family spent most evenings cleaning dental offices to supplement our income.

Beyond a Typical Success Story

At this juncture, it might seem appropriate to recount a remarkable tale of achieving the American dream – particularly for a refugee.

A Company Founded on Innovation

I could detail how, following my college education, I co-founded Webflow, a software development company specializing in no-code solutions. This company now employs close to 300 individuals and has an estimated valuation exceeding $2 billion. Stories such as mine are often cited as justification for expanding opportunities for refugees in the United States.

The Pitfalls of Focusing Solely on Economic Value

However, I am concerned that exceptional success stories – especially those benefiting from substantial luck and privilege, as mine has – may convey an inaccurate message. Such narratives can suggest that the value of immigrants and refugees is primarily measured by their economic contributions. I fear that, particularly in the current politically charged climate surrounding immigration, the discussion may increasingly center on merit-based criteria.

The Limitations of Merit-Based Systems

When “merit” becomes the sole determinant, individuals are often assessed based on their potential to generate economic value in the short term, and are only considered worthy of inclusion if they represent the “best” or “most skilled” in their respective fields.

Preserving the Nation’s Character

While merit-based immigration plays a role in addressing specific skill shortages, an exclusive focus on this approach, in my opinion, risks diminishing a vital aspect of our national identity and heritage. We must not curtail our commitment to providing sanctuary to those whose lives are threatened. Prioritizing economic advantage over humanitarian concerns would contradict the principles that define the United States as a symbol of hope and opportunity.

Long-Term Economic Benefits

Fortunately, accepting more refugees can yield significant long-term economic advantages. For every entrepreneurial success story like my own, there are countless hard-working refugees who, with initial support, become substantial contributors to our tax base as professionals – including nurses, doctors, lawyers, firefighters, and business owners. In fact, refugees demonstrate remarkably high rates of entrepreneurship.

Driven by Resilience and Gratitude

Having endured hardship and oppression in their countries of origin, refugees possess an exceptional determination to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities, thereby strengthening the overall economy.

A Call for Humanitarian Advocacy

My aspiration is that more individuals are afforded similar opportunities and that more leaders will champion immigration based on humanitarian principles, not solely economic ones. This approach will ultimately bolster our economy.

A Debt of Gratitude

When granted the freedom to live without fear, my family and countless others will dedicate themselves to contributing to society. This stems from a profound sense of gratitude towards a nation that welcomed us not merely for our skills or potential, but for our inherent humanity.