Shamail Amiri

Shamail Amiri
Delegate for California
Former Asylum-Seeker from Afghanistan

Shamail Amiri is the Refugee Congress Delegate for California. She is a former asylum-seeker from Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2012.

Shamail has worked with nonprofit organizations collaborating with USAID, providing programs for women and children such as literacy courses and training in weaving and sewing. She worked as a community health worker and traveled to many dangerous areas in Afghanistan to train women, men and young people to become community health workers to engage in discussions about adolescent sexual reproductive health issues and promote health-enhancing knowledge and skills. She worked with the Norwegian Afghan Committee, which primarily provided health care in most areas of Afghanistan.

Shamail volunteers with Survivors of Torture, Inc., to assist recent refugees and asylum-seekers when they arrive in the U.S. She helps them access services and teaches them to acclimate to a different life in the U.S. She also has volunteered with Crittenden Services and assisted with providing help to children who arrive in the U.S. without parents. 

Shamail has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of California and an AAS paralegal degree. She has received the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs “Women’s Political, Economic, and Social Empowerment” award, as well as a Global Soroptimists International “Live Your Dream” award (first place) and the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services Honor’s Academic Achievement award.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, running and watching movies.

“Active involvement with refugees and asylum seekers and varied work experiences has made me more passionate about advocating for social and economic justice. Human rights and equality are ideals that many people take for granted, and I have a strong desire to ensure that all people, especially women and minorities, will be guaranteed these unalienable rights.”  

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