Whatever your position on the endless and often shameful political machinations regarding the American immigration system, we can (mostly) all agree that this country would not be the richest in the world without 250 years of people from every corner of the globe coming here to make a new life for themselves and their families - and consequently bettering their adopted home country in myriad ways. For example, since 1980 approximately three million refugees have resettled here - and between 2005 and 2019 alone, they paid more than $580 billion in taxes, with a net benefit to the US of more than $120 billion.

Those are facts that simply and surely contradict many a narrative endlessly trotted out on the truth-twisting campaign trail. Yet significant challenges remain, including those resulting from legislative changes that create new and difficult barriers to citizenship.

Art and music have long been powerful mediums for drawing attention to precisely the sort of injustices and disinformation campaigns faced by immigrants and refugees every day (Do check out Jimmy Cliff and Wyclef Jean's powerful 2022 anthem 'Refugees', for a proper bit of inspiration). And to that end the good people of the David Zwirner family of galleries have just launched a poignant new exhibition titled 'In Solidarity: A Benefit for the American Immigration Council and Journey’s End Refugee Services'.

It features the work of such iconic artists living and deceased as Alice Neel, R. Crumb, Ruth Asawa, William Eggleston, Richard Serra and Huma Bhabha, with proceeds going to assist the pair of vital organizations mentioned in the show's title.

"This exhibition reflects the power of art to create connection," enthuses American Immigration Council executive director Jeremy Robbins, "and to help envision a more welcoming and inclusive society." His organization advances the causes of immigrants to America by providing legal counsel, cultivating crucial research and advocating for positive policy changes.

Journey’s End Refugee Services, based in Upstate New York, similarly offers legal assistance, but also helps with resettlement, education / cultural integration (Pew Research Center studies have shown that immigrants to America are actually eager to assimilate), and even employment training, with their Brewster Street Farm in Buffalo offering essential training in adaptive farming skills.

CEO Pamela Bos Kefi enlightens, "Our story, like all of America's story, is one of supporting generations of immigrants who have built vibrant, thriving communities through their contributions, resilience and vision. We are deeply grateful to David Zwirner gallery, the participating artists, and the broader arts community for choosing to support us."

Admittedly. it is sometimes difficult to hear above the din of heated political debate on the subject of immigration. But as Robbins so eloquently puts it, "This exhibition is a powerful reminder that we all benefit when we welcome people and build communities where everyone has the chance to belong."

(Watch: The below video insightfully explicates the urgency and vitality of the work of the American Immigration Council.)