About

Stories Change Everything

We believe that when people hear authentic immigration stories, hearts open, minds change, and communities become more welcome for everyone.

Our Mission

Through storytelling, resource provision, and meaningful engagement, we empower immigrants to thrive and work toward a society that values their contributions and ensures equitable opportunities for all.

Our Vision

We envision a world where immigrants are celebrated for their resilience and contributions, live free from stigma and inequities, and have access to fair pathways for legal status and self-sufficiency.

Our Story

Born from the belief that stories have the power to change hearts and minds.

Born from the belief that stories have the power to change hearts
and minds.

Stories of Immigrants began in an unexpected way—through an English program where immigrants shared journeys that revealed a crisis hiding in plain sight. The young woman who fled danger as a child but aged out of protection at 21. The father of U.S. citizens facing deportation after 20 years. The nurse saving lives during COVID while fearing detention. The DACA recipient with a master’s degree, forever in two-year limbo, unable to visit dying grandparents abroad. These weren’t just individual struggles—they were windows into a system failing millions. Our founder, a DACA recipient who had given up on her own citizenship journey, realized that personal frustration was part of something much bigger.

This revelation sparked a fundamental truth:

Statistics might inform minds, but stories change hearts—and changed hearts change policies.

That’s why Stories of Immigrants exists. We believe that when Americans hear directly from their immigrant neighbors, coworkers, and community members, fear dissolves into understanding, and understanding builds the political will for reform. Every story shared brings us closer to the just, humane immigration system our communities deserve.

Our Values

The principles that guide our work and storytelling approach

Authenticity

We ensure every story is told in the storyteller’s own voice, with dignity and respect, never exploiting experiences for emotional impact.

Community-Centered

Immigrant communities lead our work. We amplify existing voices rather than speaking for others, always with community consent and collaboration.

Bridge-Building

We seek to build understanding across different communities and perspectives, focusing on shared humanity rather than political divisions.

Fact-Based

We ground our storytelling in facts and data, helping people understand both the human experience and policy malities of immigration.