Advancing the Voice of Yemeni Americans

Yemen Advocacy Days bring Yemeni Americans together to engage with Congress, elevate community priorities, and advance meaningful policy solutions on immigration, humanitarian issues, and regional stability.

The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies (WCYS) successfully hosted its fourth National Yemen Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., from June 24–26, 2026, bringing together Yemeni-American advocates, community leaders, and policy experts from across the country for three days of advocacy, education, and engagement on Capitol Hill.

The program began on June 24 with a training workshop that prepared participants for meetings with congressional offices. The workshop provided policy briefings, advocacy training, and discussions on the legislative priorities that would shape the following day’s meetings.

On June 25, participants met with over 40 congressional offices across the House of Representatives and the Senate to advocate for policies affecting both the Yemeni-American community and the future of Yemen. Discussions focused on extending and redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS), advancing comprehensive immigration reform to better protect Yemeni Americans, and supporting Yemen’s democratic aspirations and civil society by promoting regional stability and uplifting democratic voices.

On June 26, a congressional briefing was held at Capitol Hill, where policymakers, experts, and community leaders continued the conversation on the humanitarian, political, and security challenges facing Yemen. The briefing provided an opportunity to further educate congressional offices on the realities facing Yemeni Americans and the importance of sustained U.S. engagement in the region.

The 2026 National Yemen Advocacy Days demonstrated the growing civic leadership of the Yemeni-American community and WCYS’s continued commitment to strengthening relationships with policymakers, elevating community voices, and advancing policies that support the rights, security, and future of Yemeni Americans and Yemen.