Faith Leaders Celebrate Biden Administration’s New Refugee Admissions Goal of 125k and Success in Resettling 100k Last Year

Washington, DCThe Interfaith Immigration Coalition applauds President Biden’s issuance of the FY 2025 Presidential Determination, with an admissions goal of resettling 125,000 refugees over the next year. After historic lows under the previous administration, the Biden Administration has made incredible progress in rebuilding the U.S. refugee admissions program (USRAP). As faith communities from many different traditions, we lift up the importance of loving our neighbor and welcoming those seeking refuge after facing persecution and violence. Many of our congregations and worship communities continue to sponsor refugees. We celebrate that the U.S. welcomed 100,000 refugees in the past year, the most in three decades.

Kristyn Peck, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), stated: “Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) applauds the Biden administration’s announcement that the U.S. refugee admissions ceiling will remain at 125,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2025. This announcement follows the achievement of 100,000 refugee admissions in FY24, signaling that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been successful in rebuilding following the decimation of the program during the Trump administration. During this time where listening to the news would leave one believing that public opinion is not favorable to refugee resettlement, we’ve found local businesses, governments, and communities have stepped up to support their new neighbors with open arms. We’re steadfast in our commitment to continuing the work of welcome, ensuring that new neighbors seeking protection, and the American dream, find not only safety and stability, but also the opportunity to thrive.” 

Danilo Zak, Director of Policy at Church World Service said: “Church World Service celebrates the arrival of over 100,000 refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in Fiscal Year 2024, the most in three decades. We also commend President Biden’s issuance of a new Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions, which sets a goal of resettling 125,000 refugees over the coming year. Alongside resettlement agencies and communities across the country, the Biden administration has made significant strides in just three years to recover from historically low resettlement totals and rebuild the refugee program. Our nation’s diverse faith traditions compel us to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner – regardless of place of birth, religion, or ethnicity. Church World Service will continue to urge Congress and the administration to invest in welcome and fortify programs and services that ensure arriving refugees have the resources they need to thrive in their new communities.”

Darcy Hirsh, Director of Government Relations at National Council of Jewish Women stated: “National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) commends the Biden Administration for maintaining a robust refugee admissions goal of 125,000 for the coming year and successfully resettling a record 100,000 refugees last year. Since our earliest days, NCJW has been informed by our history and values to work to ensure that our communities are open to those fleeing persecution or violence, or seeking better lives in the United States. Jewish tradition is clear about our obligation to welcome the stranger, which appears no less than 36 times in the Torah. We are grateful to the administration for its commitment to welcoming and providing safety for those seeking refuge here.”

Sister Marie Lucey, Associate Director of Franciscan Action Network stated: “FAN welcomes the FY 2025 Presidential Determination of resettling 125,000 refugees as issued by President Biden.  There are many conditions in today’s world forcing people to seek refuge in the United States, and for several years the number of refugees resettled was disgracefully low.  We are grateful that our country welcomed 100,000 refugees last year. Our Franciscan values of compassion, hospitality, and justice lead us to advocate for brothers and sisters who seek refuge in this country, and some of our members have welcomed refugees into their homes and parishes. Our country is blessed when we welcome the stranger and assist him/her in adjusting to a new home.”

Pablo DeJesús, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, stated: “We are pleased to see the Biden administration set larger goals for refugee resettlement in our country, on top of steps previously taken to welcome a larger number of refugees. Unitarian Universalists have for decades, both in our public stances and in on-the-ground actions, provided support to people fleeing war, civil conflict, or other threats to their survival and security. We believe people have the legal right to seek and be granted sanctuary. We believe they have the moral right to seek and be granted safety. Biden’s actions on this are a welcome change from much of the recent discourse by certain politicians demeaning and vilifying migrants and raising false fears about them. Refugees and other migrants deserve not just respect and support, but a chance to join their predecessors in helping to build a stronger and more vibrant America.”

Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray, Director for Justice and Advocacy Ministries at Disciples Home Missions stated: “Justice and Advocacy Ministries at DHM celebrates the announcement from the FY2025 Presidential Determination of resettling 125,000 refugees. We are grateful that our country resettled 100,000 refugees in FY2024 and are even more grateful to see the goal raised higher for the coming year. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) strives to be an immigrant welcoming church and we live out our faith by following Jesus’ command to welcome the stranger.” 

Fran Eskin-Royer, Executive Director of the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd stated: “The National Advocacy Center commends the Biden Administration’s successful efforts in resettling 100,000 refugees this past fiscal year. Each refugee, with an individual story of persecution or fear or tragedy, is a story of perseverance and dignity. And we are pleased that the administration has chosen to increase its goal and seeks to resettle 125,000 refugees this fiscal year. It is incumbent on us to offer true welcome to those forced to flee their homelands. Our Catholic faith calls us to welcome and offer safe harbor.”

Susan Krehbiel, Associate for the Migration Accompaniment Ministries at Presbyterian Church USA, stated: “We are pleased to hear the Biden administration raise the refugee admissions goal from 100,000 to 125,000. We also commend the administration for resettling 100,000 last fiscal year. We live in a time where we have a record number of people on the move because of violence, climate change, and human rights abuses. As the Presbyterian Church USA, we have advocated for the rights of displaced peoples since the end of World War 2. We are proud that so many Presbyterian congregations engage in refugee work by donating their time and resources. Our nation is enriched by the contributions refugees bring to our communities.” 

Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America stated: “The Biden Administration’s announcement that 100,000 refugees were resettled in the country last year is proof positive of the success of the U.S. refugee admissions programs—and the wellspring of public support to welcome refugees. To set the goal of 125,000 for next year is cause for jubilee. Across the nation, Lutheran congregations and families have asked “how can I serve my neighbor?” and then taken steps to walk with refugees a part of their faith life. The ELCA social message on Immigration says, ‘We draw on the best of our nation’s traditions as a refuge and haven for the persecuted and destitute when we affirm that ‘we support a generous policy of welcome for refugees and immigrants.’”

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 56 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 

###