Author: Ateeye Jitay / June 5th, 2025
This past week marked a proud and impactful moment for United Somali Roots (USR), as representatives from our Ohio and Arizona chapters traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet face-to-face with U.S. lawmakers. The purpose of the visit was clear: to advocate for the rights of Somalia’s most marginalized clans, and to push back against proposed cuts to refugee resettlement funding.
Leading the effort were USR Ohio Chairman Mohamed Farah, USR Arizona Director Ayanle Noor, and Arizona Field Director Ahmed Mustafe. The team was invited to Washington by Refugee Council USA, and spent several days meeting with U.S. Senators and Members of Congress to share the realities facing the communities USR works to protect and represent.
The marginalized Somali clans such as the Madhiban, Muse Dhariyo, Tumal, and Yibir have no true homeland to return to. These communities face deep-rooted discrimination in Somalia, not just from society but from the systems that govern access to opportunity. Jobs, education, healthcare, and even basic human rights are often denied based solely on clan identity. These realities are what make refugee resettlement not just a policy debate, but a matter of life and survival for many.
During their meetings, the USR team also raised concerns about how dominant Somali clans have been exploiting the refugee system falsely identifying as marginalized groups during resettlement interviews. This kind of exploitation creates more obstacles for the people who are genuinely vulnerable, many of whom are left behind in IDP camps where they are often abused and neglected.
Throughout the week, USR was able to meet with a number of influential lawmakers, including:
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Senators Jon Husted, Bernie Moreno, Mark Kelly, and Ruben Gallego
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Representatives Michael Turner, Dave Taylor, Mike Carey, Joyce Beatty, Shontel Brown, and Yassamin Ansar
These meetings were not just about policies and programs they were about telling stories that are too often left out of the conversation. Stories of communities living on the fringes, of families stuck in generational cycles of exclusion, and of people who have never had a voice in their own country’s political process.
“This wasn’t just about resettlement,” said Chairman Mohamed Farah. “It was about telling the truth. The people we represent have been pushed to the margins for decades. We came here to make sure they aren’t forgotten.”
The USR team left Washington feeling energized by the support they received and inspired by the many other passionate advocates they connected with along the way. The work continues, but this week was a reminder that change is possible when voices from the margins speak up and are heard.
Special thanks to Refugee Council USA for making this trip possible.
