Press Releases

Washington, DC – For months, people of faith have been calling on the Biden administration to re-designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and end Title 42 expulsions. Last weekend, one prayer was answered. “Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic ...

Washington, DC – The voices of 850 faith leaders and nearly 150 faith-based organizations will be on record at the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety hearing on “The Essential Role of Immigrant Workers in America.”  Leaders from 45 states plus the District Columbia joined a statement from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, which ...

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 – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to create a path to citizenship for farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on Thursday. Now, the U.S. Senate has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do its job, and turn these bills into law.  On ...

Senate Must Act Immediately to Enshrine “Deserved Dignity” In Law Washington, DC – Leaders from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) welcome House passage of legislation that creates a path to citizenship for farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), among some others. Now, we turn ...

Washington, DC – Peniel Ibe, policy engagement coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, responded to the murder of eight people, most of Asian descent, in Georgia this week: As people of faith, we mourn the victims of this heinous act, and pray for their loved ones who are ...