Washington, DC – It feels good to do the right thing.
Today, months after promising to increase the record-low refugee resettlement cap set by the prior, anti-immigrant and anti-refugee administration, President Biden followed through on his promise. In addition to setting the goal to 62,500 for Fiscal Year 2021, he committed to setting an even larger goal of 125,000 for FY 2022.
Faith leaders, who had been calling for a broad recommitment to refugee protection and welcome by the Biden administration, made the following remarks.
“After months of uncertainty, this is terrific news for refugees who have been waiting to be resettled in the United States,” said Elissa Diaz, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Church World Service and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC). “Many may have lost hope that this day would ever come, after a months-long delay in revising the goal. But we also have to remember, 62,500 is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to the number of people worldwide who need safe and permanent homes. CWS’ affiliates and partners across the country stand ready to work with the administration to meet this goal and welcome as many refugees as possible for the remainder of this fiscal year. Over the next four years, the Biden administration has a lot of ground to make up, not only to repair what the Trump administration decimated, but strengthen and expand our role as a humanitarian leader across the globe.”
“No act is more American or more Jewish than welcoming the stranger,” said Mark Hetfield, HIAS’ president and CEO. “We’re excited to see President Biden start to rebuild refugee resettlement. We know there are long months of work ahead to fully restore the resettlement program. As the Jewish refugee organization that has long been the U.S. government’s partner in refugee resettlement, HIAS and our network of partners across the country are ready and eager to help however we can.”
“This announcement will bring hope to the thousands of refugee families waiting in unsafe situations around the world for resettlement in the United States,” said Susan Gunn, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns. “Having this higher admissions goal to push towards this year sends a signal that the United States is committed to welcoming refugees. As people of faith, we know it is our moral responsibility to be people of welcome and compassion.”
Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister & President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. & Canada, commented: “Our sacred texts, as in Hebrews 12:1, understand that ‘patience’ is deeply tied to ‘endurance,’ and the need to ‘run with perseverance the race set before us!’ As hundreds of refugee families have endured long traumas of being held back for years from reuniting with relatives and finding safety in the United States, we deeply celebrate President Biden’s announcement. Refugees should wait no more—and now is our time, as faith partners from all political views, to fulfill God’s call by preparing to ‘welcome the sojourner’ with open hearts and arms. Doing so mutually benefits arriving families as well as our congregations and communities, and deepens our souls!”
“We are grateful that the Biden administration has honored its original commitment to resettling 62,500 refugees this fiscal year, and 125,000 in fiscal year 2022,” added Scott Wright, Director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach. “We honor our highest ideals and faith values when we welcome refugees. Pope Francis reminds us it is our sacred duty to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate our refugee sisters and brothers, and to remember that many of our own ancestors once fled persecution and dire poverty in search of refuge and the promise of a new beginning.”
Rev. Noel Andersen, Church World Service’s Director of Grassroots Organizing, commented, “Faith communities around the country have been waiting for President Biden to fulfill his promise to restore and strengthen the refugee resettlement program, after years of the previous administration trying to completely dismantle this program that faith communities helped build. Today is a proud moment to see this administration following through with its commitment to restore welcome with this revised refugee admissions goal. We are one step closer to fulfilling our moral obligation to becoming a beacon of hope to so many throughout the world who are fleeing persecution and seeking refuge.”
“We applaud President Biden for following through on his commitment to increase refugee admissions,” said Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. “This will serve as a critical down payment for increasing the refugee admissions cap to 125,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2022.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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