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Iraqi refugee addresses Aurora meeting

Alhussein Al Saadi, a refugee from Iraq, was among speakers at a Refugee and Immigration Advocacy Night at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora Feb. 15.

The church hosted a presentation including Al Saadi and officials of Wheaton-based World Relief DuPage/Aurora. About 250 people attended the meeting in the church sanctuary.

Al Saadi and other WRDA speakers urged the audience to advocate for refugee resettlement by contacting elected officials, hosting public events, writing oped or letters to the editor, engaging with family, friends, refugees and immigrants and praying for refugees, immigrants, local to federal leaders and the U.S.

The Rev. John Bell, Wesley UMC pastor, said the program was designed to explain the new administration's executive orders about refugee resettlement and immigration and what the orders mean for the people World Relief serves.

Audience members were invited to learn more about what changes have been made and how to support refugee and immigrant families through advocacy, volunteering and more.

World Relief DuPage/Aurora officials said it is one of nine organizations that partner with the U.S. government to help refugees become stable, self-sufficient and well-integrated members of U.S. society.

Their services include refugee employment counseling, immigrant legal services and English as a second language education.

In 2016, World Relief DuPage/Aurora received 652 refugees from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Bhutan, Ukraine, Burma and Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 1,400 refugees were resettled earlier by WRDA.

Visit worldreliefdupageaurora.org for more information.

Catherine Norquist, immigrant legal services director for Wheaton-based World Relief DuPage/Aurora, was among speakers at a Refugee and Immigration Advocacy Night Feb. 15. Courtesy of Wesley United Methodist Church
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