Washington, DC – Leaders of faith-based organizations that resettle refugees and advocate for a stronger U.S. commitment to refugee protection honor their courage and tenacity on World Refugee Day, June 20, and every day.
Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA said: “On World Refugee Day, we celebrate the talent, strength, and resilience of our refugee brothers and sisters. On this special day, we also pray that those seeking safety may be welcomed in our country and by our communities and be afforded opportunities to learn, chances to grow, and investments to build their own future. We call on governments around the world, including the U.S. government, to enact policies that address the root causes of migration while welcoming those seeking refuge and providing an opportunity for them to lead a life of dignity.”
Melanie Nezer, SVP of Public Affairs with HIAS added: “On World Refugee Day, HIAS recognizes the struggles and strength of the millions of men, women, and children who are refugees across the globe. After more than a year of living through the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects — the lockdowns, the border closures, the increased dangers, and the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment — we hope 2021 is the year refugees and other displaced persons will receive the support they need to rebuild their lives in peace and dignity. This World Refugee Day, we honor refugees, applaud their resilience, and call on all countries to welcome the stranger.”
Chris Palusky, President & CEO, Bethany Christian Services, said: “In the Bible, Jesus taught his followers, ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ As we mark this World Refugee Day, I pray that the world will know we are Christians because of how we respond to the challenges of our time with love and unity, compassion and kindness, and trust in God. Refugees are the neighbors Jesus calls his followers to serve. Let’s remember to welcome the stranger the way that Christ welcomes us.”
“We honor the courage and tenacity of refugees around the world fighting for their right to survive and lead a flourishing life. Governments around the world—including the United States—are systematically violating international refugee law and failing to uphold their obligations to asylum-seekers. This means that each day people in migration are forced to overcome unjust barriers in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. We call on leaders around the world to recognize and uphold the inherent power and dignity of people in migration,” said Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President and CEO, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
“The Torah instructs us to welcome and love the stranger, va’ahavtem et ha-ger. This is repeated thirty-six times, far more often than any other Jewish law, stressing its importance to Jewish values. On World Refugee Day, we honor the strength and resilience of refugees here in the United States and around the world. The administration must continue its work to rebuild and strengthen our nation’s refugee resettlement program to ensure our nation once again becomes a beacon of hope to those seeking safety, security, and better lives for themselves and their families” said Sheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women.
Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of General Assembly, PCUSA said: “Refugee resettlement has been a significant ministry for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and her antecedents. In fact, Presbyterians have engaged in resettlement efforts long before the passing of the Refugee Resettlement Act of 1980. There is much celebration in the church as we witness a renewed effort to increase refugee admissions. As we mark World Refugee Day, may we be mindful and prayerful of the millions of individuals and families who seek protection and safety far from their homes. May faith communities continue to push governments and civil society to respond with care, mercy, and respect. May we meet their bravery and courage with dignity and love.”
“On World Refugee Day 2021, we Franciscan women and men honor the contributions of refugees who have been resettled and now call this country home. We regret that in recent years, numbers of resettled refugees have been deplorably low, and we call on the present Administration to keep its promise to provide safety and resettlement assistance to 125,000 men, women, and children who wait in refugee camps around the world to be welcomed into the United States in FY 2022. Following in the footprints of Jesus Christ, we Franciscans embrace refugees from around the world as sisters and brothers,” added Sister Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director, Franciscan Action Network.
Scott Wright, Director of the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, said: “On this World Refugee Day, we urge the Biden administration to rescind Title 42, open our asylum system, and release those currently in ICE detention to community-based alternatives. Columbans around the world have served families and children who have been forced to flee their home countries due to war, poverty, climate change, and other life threatening conditions. We’ve also seen how border communities can be models of hospitality and promote a culture of encounter. US policy can learn from their example.”
“Maryknoll missioners working with refugees abroad see the undignified conditions in which refugees wait for resettlement, and the desperation with which they long for safe, permanent solutions. On this World Refugee Day, we pray for a recommitment to strengthening the U.S. refugee resettlement system. With a strong resettlement system, we can offer real solutions for refugees and allow our communities in the United States to take up our moral duty to welcome the stranger in our midst,” said Susan Gunn, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
According to Ann Scholz, SSND, Associate Director for Social Mission, Leadership Conference of Women Religious: “Each year on June 20th we celebrate the resilience and giftedness of the world’s refugees. Today, an unprecedented 79.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 26 million refugees, half of whom are children. The COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying economic disruption have added enormously to their vulnerability. We urge the Biden administration to rebuild our refugee system and to keep his promise to welcome 125,000 men, women, and children into the United States in FY 2022. Our faith calls us to prioritize the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable and to honor the human dignity of all people. Catholic sisters remain committed to ensuring that refugees have the support they need to care for their families and contribute to our communities.”
“On World Refugee Day, the Sisters of Mercy reaffirm their commitment to stand in solidarity with immigrants seeking fullness of life. In addition to reuniting families, providing a path to citizenship and honoring our commitments under both national and international law to respect the right of asylum seekers, we urge the Biden administration to undertake an in-depth assessment of our foreign policy, a policy that helped create and continues to bolster the very conditions that are driving people from their home countries. We need to take the lead from grass root groups who understand their situation and are in the best position to know what they need,” added Margaret Conley, Director, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team.
“Church World Service is proud to honor World Refugee Day. It is not just this day, but every day that we celebrate the contributions of refugees to our nation. We embrace their spirit, pledge to continue to work towards their inclusion in our communities, and forever take pride in all who help them rebuild their lives in safety. Refugees are an integral part of our story; they start businesses, they volunteer, they join our military, and they pray and raise their children alongside us.
“This year, as we honor their stories, we recommit to rebuilding the very program that helped them join us as neighbors. A strong resettlement system is not only necessary in providing a road to security for those displaced by violence, persecution, and upheaval, it is integral to the United States remaining true to its legacy as a nation of welcome,” said Rick Santos, President and CEO of Church World Service.
Rev. Noel Andersen of Church World Service added, “Every year we celebrate World Refugee Day and this year we are in a critical moment. The number of refugees in the world continues to grow at an alarming rate, following the previous administration’s repeated attacks against the U.S. resettlement program. Now, we have the opportunity to rebuild and strengthen the resettlement program. We urge the administration to keep its promise by resettling as many refugees this year as possible and fulfilling its commitment to set a refugee admissions goal of 125,000 in Fiscal Year 2022. We lift up prayers for all 80 million displaced people, including 29 million refugees, as we refocus our efforts as faith communities and humanitarian workers to welcome refugees and asylum seekers through advocacy, community sponsorship, and accompaniment.”
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.
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(Image: Paula Wendland)