Press Releases Refugees

Memo to Editorial Boards and Columnists on World Refugee Day

by |Published
June 17, 2019

TO: Editorial Boards and Columnists

FROM: Interfaith Immigration Coalition, CWS

RE: On World Refugee Day, U.S. Dismantling Refugee Protection and Abandoning Global Leadership

Thursday, June 20 is World Refugee Day, a day to celebrate the contributions refugees make to our communities and press for compassionate, pro-refugee governmental policies. Amidst the largest refugee crisis in history, the Trump administration has slashed the refugee resettlement program by 75% and taken countless actions to block asylum-seekers from accessing vital protection at our border.

We urge you to write an editorial or column calling on Congress to take bold action to restore U.S. leadership in protecting and welcoming refugees.

This memo includes: Fast Facts; Why Our Treatment of Refugees Matters; Information on Refugees, By State; and Resources to Dig Deeper.

Also on World Refugee Day, the Senate Judiciary Committee will mark up an egregious anti-refugee bill proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill would make further erode U.S. asylum policies, changes sought by the Trump administration that will put individuals in harm’s way. It also reduces traditional refugee admissions by counting certain asylum cases against the annual refugee resettlement cap.

Welcoming refugees is part of the American identity. Refugees revitalize communities, start businesses, own homes, and pay taxes. Resettlement aids U.S. diplomatic efforts and encourages the rest of the world to address the humanitarian crisis more robustly, also. It support key allies hosting large numbers of refugees and keeps our promises to protect Iraqi and Afghan partners who have risked their lives to support the U.S. mission.

Congress must rebuild the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and protect the right to seek asylum.

Following are resources about the refugee crisis taking place globally, the impact that refugees are having on U.S. communities, and the role that nations like ours should be playing to reduce the number of displaced people and provide a safe place for refugees to call home.

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Fast Facts

The global refugee crisis as at its worst in history. Worldwide, more than 68 million people are living displaced from their homes. Of those, 25 million people–half of whom are children–are considered to be “refugees” in need of a safe, permanent home. (Source: UNHCR)

The U.S. used to be a leader in refugee protection. After the Holocaust, the faith community in the United States came together to ensure the United States would do more to protect people from persecution. Congress passed the Refugee Act in 1980 and formally created the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program. Since then, the United States has been a leader in refugee protection, committing to resettling 95,000 refugees every year, on average, until the Trump administration. (Source: Refugee Council USA)

Now, the U.S. and the world are turning our back on refugees.

Shockingly, despite the global need, the world is turning its back on refugees. In 2017, less than 1% of refugees in need of a permanent home received one. In the United States, the Trump administration has cut refugee admissions by 75% after attempting to cancel the program completely. This is an abdication of U.S. moral leadership. We are repeating the same mistakes of the past, and there is no doubt people are suffering because of that. (Source: National Council of Jewish Women)

Passing the GRACE Act (S. 1088 and H.R. 2146) would be a first step toward righting this wrong. The GRACE Act in Congress would restore U.S. refugee admissions to historic norms by setting a minimum floor refugee admissions goal of 95,000. Passing it would be a first step in a long line of changes needed to rebuild the U.S. resettlement program and U.S. protection for the least of these.

Why Our Treatment of Refugees Matters

After World War II, faith-based leaders and others in the United States built a refugee resettlement program to ensure that we never again turn our backs on people persecuted for who they are or what religion they practice. Unfortunately, current U.S. policies are failing refugees and repeating these past mistakes. Human lives are being lost, families are being separated, and the United States is signaling to other countries that refugees’ lives do not matter.

We offer protection to refugees because it is the right thing to do, because our faith traditions call us to welcome the stranger and care for those who need protection, and because welcoming refugees is the best of who we are as a nation. The way we treat refugees speaks volumes about our nation’s values and who we are as Americans. Right now, U.S. moral leadership is failing.  

U.S. communities that have embraced refugees are stronger and more vibrant because of their refugee residents. Refugees are our friends, neighbors, coworkers, fellow worshippers, and family members. Refugees love their families, take care of their communities, and want the same things we all want – a chance to live in safety and contribute. They may have been born in other countries, but the United States is home.

The United States is a compassionate, generous nation. We believe in religious freedom and human rights. We know that U.S. policies have not always lived up to these values. Our country can and must do more to protect refugees, around the world and in our communities, and that starts with increasing the number of refugees we welcome to at least 95,000 per year.

Information on Refugees, By State

As faithful communities, we believe that God says “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” meaning: when we deny aid, shelter, food, water, and kindness to immigrants and refugees, we are denying it to God.

Across the United States, Americans who support a strong U.S. refugee policy are hosting events and activities to call for more robust policies that protect refugees. Following are state-specific resources:

  • State by state “snapshots” of refugee data and contributions (RCUSA)
  • Refugee stories, listed by state (Interfaith Immigration Coalition)
  • Local events listed here (We Are All America); also contact your local immigrant and refugee-serving organizations
  • Directory of refugee resettlement agencies (US State Department)
  • Report on how the decimation of the refugee resettlement program in the U.S. has harmed communities (RCUSA)

Resources to Dig Deeper

Concerned about the reduction in the number of refugees resettled in the United States, and its impact on U.S. communities? Read this new report and press release from Refugee Council USA.

Interested in learning more about the economic impact of refugees in the United States? Read this fact sheet by RCUSA, report from the Center for Public Integrity, report from New American Economy, and this article in CityLab, “The Cities Refugees Saved.”

For a great example of how Americans are standing in solidarity with refugees, read about the “Refugee Ration Challenge” from Church World Service and sign up to take part here.

Want to understand the refugee resettlement process and how it is supposed to work? Read about all of the steps in the process from Refugee Council USA here. Learn about the refugee screening process in this piece by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Wondering why Central Americans are requesting asylum at the U.S. border? Watch this video from America Magazine that explains why so many are fleeing. Read this UNHCR bulletin about the need for a regional commitment to addressing the issue.

Looking for the global context behind this massive increase in refugees? Read this UN Security Council briefing from High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, UNHCR.

See also the following resources:

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