Washington, DC – Amid growing nationwide pressure for the Administration to resume resettlement, 1,051 faith leaders and 175 faith organizations from Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and other faith traditions, representing 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, have united in a letter to President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem, expressing their support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). They issued a strong defense of this crucial program and Reception & Placement (R&P) funding, which assists newly arrived refugees during their initial days in the United States. Resuming refugee resettlement responds to core faith values and aligns with U.S. interests to promote peace and stability in the world.
In the letter, faith leaders and faith organizations urge “members of Congress, President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that all refugees approved for resettlement have safe harbor from persecution and harm.”
Together, they call upon the Trump Administration to (a) resume refugee resettlement; (b) restore all humanitarian assistance, particularly vital assistance for refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) beneficiaries who have already arrived; and (c) ensure that the faith-based community can continue to serve and welcome refugees and other newcomers according to their faith traditions.
Faith communities have a long legacy of supporting this work and it comes from core understandings of faith teachings. Six of the ten resettlement agencies are faith-based, and include Church World Service, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service), and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) who have signed this letter.
On Feb. 10, several refugee resettlement agencies filed a lawsuit alleging that the orders have left approved refugees stranded internationally, denied recent arrivals statutorily mandated support services, and forced layoffs at resettlement institutions.
The complete letter and list of signatories is available here.
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
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