Refugees

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 ...

Washington, DC – Repeal and strengthen, heal and transform. “This is the path to a new paradigm for U.S. immigration policy, one that centers human dignity rather than repression, coercion, and control,” said Peniel Ibe, Policy Engagement Coordinated with the American Friends Service Committee and Co-Director of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.  “This requires boldness. It requires ...

Washington, DC – “Mr. Biden has sought to be identified with Pope Francis. And if there is one signature issue for Pope Francis, it is the plight of refugees, immigrants and displaced persons,” writes Bill McCormick, contributing editor at America Magazine.  After the Biden administration announced last week that it would keep former President Trump’s historically ...

Washington, DC – Earlier today, it seemed President Biden intended to break his promise to expand the number of refugees resettled by the United States in the current fiscal year. This evening, the White House clarified that President Biden WILL issue a new presidential determination on refugees by May 15, 2021, but that it is ...

Until Then, Trump’s Xenophobic Restrictions Remain in Place Washington, DC – After years running from danger, waiting in refugee camps, and clearing numerous paperwork processes and security checks, some refugees were promised a new life in the United States. Refugee resettlement agencies and local communities prepared to welcome and help them get acclimated to their new ...

Washington, DC – After ten years of family separation, Melaku Gebretsadik was on his way to pick up his wife and three kids at the Denver airport when he learned their trip to the United States had been cancelled, their reunion once again postponed. “My heart was broken,” he said. Refugees from Eritrea, the Gebretsadik ...

Washington, DC – Nearly 100 faith-based organizations and over 700 faith leaders are calling on the Biden administration to halt deportation flights and stop expelling Haitians and other migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. Re-designating the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is another urgent need. Said Bishop Philius H. Nicolas with Evangelical Crusade of Fishers ...

Our Faiths Call Us to Welcome Refugees and Immigrants Washington, DC – Ahead of Ash Wednesday, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is releasing a booklet of nine Lenten reflections to guide individuals and congregations seeking to review how our faith-based values require us to demand a just and humane immigration system. Also during this time, IIC ...

Action Toolkit: The First 100 Days and Beyond for #ImmigrantJustice Share this toolkit: bit.ly/100DaysActionToolkit @interfaithimm • Facebook • interfaithimmigration.org Background The first 100 days of the Biden Administration is a critical time for faith communities to take action alongside immigrants’ rights organizations and immigrant leaders. In the coming weeks, there will be an opportunity to push for legislative and ...

Washington, DC – Leaders of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition respond to President Biden’s executive order restoring our nation’s commitment to refugee protection. Elissa Diaz is Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) and Policy/Advocacy Manager at Church World Service, one of the non-profit organizations working with the U.S. Government to resettle and help refugees build new ...