America has always welcomed the world's tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free. But lately, Lady Liberty's welcoming lamp seems to be fading. As the United Nations forges its first-ever global compact for migration, we celebrate the talents and contributions of female authors, executives, actresses, athletes, designers (all of whom have become activists)—including Priyanka Chopra, Constance Wu, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Maria Cornejo, among other equally formidable women—with roots in foreign lands. Click the images below to read their personal immigration stories.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Hair, Face, Hairstyle, Lip, Beauty, Cheek, Nose, Eyebrow, Chin, Long hair,
Shutterstock

CONSTANCE WU

Hair, Face, Black, Hairstyle, Lip, Beauty, Black-and-white, Chin, Nose, Eyebrow,
Tiziano Lugli

CAMILA CABELLO

Face, Hair, Photograph, Eyebrow, Lip, Beauty, Black-and-white, Nose, Cheek, Hairstyle,
Redux

AUTHORS, ACTIVISTS, AND ATHLETES

Hair, Hairstyle, Beauty, Black-and-white, Fashion, Lip, Photography, Photo shoot, Model, Monochrome photography,
Design by Morgan McMullen

FOUNDERS AND CEOS

Facial expression, Black-and-white, Photography, Smile, Monochrome, Style,
Design by Morgan McMullen

A version of this article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Marie Claire.

More From The Immigration Issue
The Women Fixing How the U.S. Treats Immigrants
True Stories from the Border
Easy Ways to Help Immigrant Kids Right Now