Washington, DC – Over 560 faith leaders and nearly 140 faith organizations delivered a letter to the White House today urging the Biden administration to provide a robust humanitarian response to the needs of displaced and at-risk populations as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
While faith communities applauded the Biden administration’s recent decisions to grant TPS for Ukraine and welcome 100,000 Ukrainians to the United States as refugees, they urged the administration in today’s letter to provide a holistic humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis and offer the same protections “to all people seeking safety, regardless of their place of birth, race, creed, ethnicity, or sexual orientation and gender identity.”
In addition to specific demands for relief and protection for “millions of displaced individuals inside and fleeing Ukraine,” the signatories wrote, “We urge you to continue to robustly respond to the protection needs of displaced and at-risk populations. Every single person fleeing conflict has the right to seek safety in other countries and is entitled to protection without discrimination. Now is a time to display strong, moral leadership to stand with and protect vulnerable and displaced Ukrainians and at-risk populations, including displaced individuals of Black and African-descent denied equitable access to protection, stateless people, among others.”
Read the complete letter and list of signatories here.
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
###