“You’ve sworn a solemn oath, you’ve committed yourselves to making a life in this country, and today we’re celebrating the choice that you’ve made.”
That was Katherine Robertson, the federal judge who recently presided over a citizenship ceremony for 200 new Americans just across the river from us here in Western Massachusetts.
The event was held at a university where over 5,000 international students from 120 countries study and conduct research that benefits our society. And it was a few miles up the road from one of our state’s largest communities of resettled refugees.
On this blog, we try not to be political. We have wonderful customers and supporters of all stripes whom we deeply appreciate. And here in our studio there is a wide range of opinions about everything. That is how it should be – a melting pot of people and ideas.
But this year, World Refugee Day feels different. On June 20th, we're recognizing refugees in every country, but wondering what is happening in our own.
In this era of fearmongering and misinformation, let’s set the record straight: immigrants, refugees and international students are not burdens. They are not stealing jobs or driving up the cost of housing. And they are 60% less likely to commit a crime than someone born here.
They are neighbors raising families and planting gardens. Scientists conducting life-saving research. Doctors, entrepreneurs, hard-working employees, and caregivers showing compassion in our most vulnerable moments. They pay taxes and contribute to the economy just like anyone else.
They are us.
Yet today we are battling hateful rhetoric from the highest levels of our government, from officials who knowingly perpetuate lies about legal migrants, violate the Constitution by disappearing law-abiding residents without due process, and create inhumane immigration policies that favor Afrikaners claiming reverse racism over those fleeing war and genocide.
This is a moral failure. The United States has always been made stronger by those who arrive with hope and ambition, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. From the farm workers who put food on our tables to the engineers who helped create Silicon Valley to the refugees who rebuild their lives and enrich us with their resilience, we owe our prosperity in large part to those born elsewhere.
So on World Refugee Day 2025, we celebrate not only the contributions made by so many who arrived here after years of suffering to build new lives, like the artisans of Prosperity Candle, but also this country’s tradition of fighting for freedom and justice.
“There's one thing that's unique about America. It's a place where those fleeing torture and persecution and discrimination could come to find refuge. It's the place where those people would have an opportunity to achieve a dream… no matter their bloodline or what patch of soil they grew up on.” – Tim Miller, The Bulwark
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Prosperity Candle donates a portion of every purchase to the International Medical Corps providing emergency relief to refugees around the world, and 20% of every Solidarity Candle, Diffuser and Room Spray. It's one of the many ways we live up to our mission.
If you would like to donate directly, please visit the International Medical Corps - in these difficult times, any amount helps and is deeply appreciated.
Thank you.
