Press Release

Washington — Today, #WelcomeWithDignity welcomed its new campaign manager, Melina Roche. Roche joins the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign with a wealth of expertise from her over six years of experience developing and managing advocacy campaigns at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), where she regularly consulted with the organization’s nationwide members. Prior to her time at AILA, Roche was engaged in community outreach and development at the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (LALDEF), a community-based organization that provides services to low-income immigrant families in New Jersey. Roche joins the campaign at a critical moment, when the need could not be more urgent for coordinated advocacy and organizing to ensure that the United States builds a system that welcomes with dignity.

“I am proud to join the #WelcomeWithDignity campaign at this critical time,” said Melina Roche, #WelcomeWithDignity campaign manager. “For too long, dangerous policies have been in place in our name to deter or scapegoat individuals, families, and children fleeing their homes. As someone who left Guatemala amid a civil war to seek safety, I know we are a country able to welcome with dignity. It is past time that our policies reflect our humanity. I stand ready to work with national and local partners to amplify the stories and voices of asylum seekers, refugees, and affected individuals to ensure that we create a more just and humane system.”

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Join the movement and sign our pledge to #WelcomeWithDignity here.  

The #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign is composed of more than 85 organizations committed to transforming the way the United States receives and protects people forced to flee their homes to ensure they are treated humanely and fairly. To learn more and join our campaign visit: welcomewithdignity.org