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A reflection from Roger Remera, CERI Program & Communication Associate, about the World Refugee & Immigrant Day (WRID) event on June 20, 2026: “World Refugee and Immigrant Day is not like any other day. As an immigrant, this day means a great deal to me. It is like Christmas or the Fourth of July for many immigrants—a day when we come together as one community to celebrate our journeys, cultures, and resilience. As I walked through the event, I saw Asians enjoying Ethiopian food, Africans savoring Persian and Mexican dishes, and vice versa, and I also witnessed young Nepalese and Cambodian children proudly performing their traditional dances. At one moment, I caught a glimpse of someone doing a child's hair, and it instantly took me back to my village, where mothers lovingly cared for the younger generation. It was a simple but powerful reminder of home, family, and belonging. This day is also a time to be grateful and recognize the organizations that have stood by immigrants and refugees since day one, offering support, guidance, and hope. I would especially like to thank my organization, CERI, for allowing me to be part of its team and for its continued commitment to serving our communities. Today, I am not going to say much more. I will let my photographs tell the rest of the story and I invite you to take a moment to reflect on one question: What does it mean to be an immigrant?”
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