Reggae music and children’s laughter filled the air on Saturday as hundreds of community members gathered to learn, shop, and celebrate Durham’s vibrant refugee presence. 

Attendees came to Durham Central Park for the sixth annual Durham Refugee Day, organized by the City of Durham, local chapters of refugee aid organizations World Service and Church World Relief (CWS), and various Triangle-based partners. 

“We are here celebrating refugees and their contribution in Durham, and as local government, we are here to support,” said Kakou Nayo, the Durham city-county immigrant and refugee affairs coordinator.

Durham Refugee Day began in 2017 after the first Trump administration enacted a series of travel bans primarily targeting Muslim-majority nations. Adam Clark, executive director of World Relief Durham, said World Relief, CWS, and then-mayor of Durham Steve Schewel wanted to show their opposition to the bans.

In 2023, Durham County was home to over 45,000 foreign-born residents—approximately 15.2 percent of the population. 

“I know that some folks are probably staying home today because of the changed climate,” Clark said. “We want to continue this event to show our solidarity and make sure that we don’t back down from our love for, appreciation for and our strong stance with refugees and immigrants.”

Earlier this year, President Trump indefinitely froze refugee resettlement, resulting in only approximately 27,300 refugees having been admitted in 2025. The freeze brought furloughs and challenges to organizations like World Relief and CWS.

“Rooted in Shared Soil: Refugees and the Triangle Grow Together,” a project designed by Duke University students, displays the history of resettlement in the Triangle at Durham Refugee Day. Credit: Photo by Daneen Khan

Although individuals admitted as refugees have legal status in the United States, fear of deportation and detainment has hit documented and undocumented immigrants. North Carolina legislators recently passed bills requiring law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, and Trump remains committed to detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, especially those in Democratic-run cities.

Yet among the political climate—or perhaps in spite of it—Durham Refugee Day maintained an air of celebration. 

Kids sat for face paint as parents enjoyed live music from reggae band dub Addis. Families clapped in a call-and-response led by Suah African Dance Group. When members of the Takiri Folclor Latino dance group ran into the audience, some attendees joined them in a circle, smiling as they spun to the music. 

Individuals and organizations set up tables across the park’s Farmers Market Pavilion.

Mona Singh, a Cary resident running for Wake County commissioner, organized her table with friends. Together, they brought over 1,000 pieces of South Asian clothing and jewelery to give away.

Singh, who is originally from India, said she used to teach English to refugees through CWS and would donate clothes to them. But since February, her students have stopped coming—first because of fear of ICE, and then because the influx of new refugees halted. 

Refugee Day attendees browse through colorful South Asian garments at a booth organized by Mona Singh and friends. Credit: Photo by Daneen Khan

Even as her booth was surrounded by shoppers, Singh said she noticed fewer refugees in the crowd.

“A lot of people coming here used to be in my English class, so I know them,” she said. “I was expecting to see a lot more. And I know they need this, they love this.”

Fatima Mohmand, who immigrated from Pakistan in 2016, said events like World Refugee Day bring happiness and resources to people who need it. 

Mohmand has been fighting to bring her mother and siblings to the United States since 2020. Her family hails from Afghanistan; Afghans in Pakistan are subject to harassment, discrimination, and mass deportation. 

“Everybody’s come here for better future, and for study and safety, because our countries are not safe,” Mohmand said, speaking of refugees across the country.

About halfway through the event, Nayo welcomed Durham city council members Javeria Caballero, DeDreana Freeman and Chelsea Cook, along with county commissioners Michelle Burton and Stephen Valentine to the stage.

Caballero read Durham County’s proclamation of Durham Refugee Day 2025 before sharing a few words with the crowd.

“Your elected officials now, your elected officials previously, and your elected officials to come will always stand with immigrants and refugees, because that’s how we do it in Durham,” she said. “Always know that we will have your backs. Always know that we will rise to every single challenge that affects our immigrant and refugee communities.”

Comment on this story at [email protected].