45th Anniversary of Refugee Act of 1980 Calls for Action to Uphold U.S. Values of Welcoming and Safety
On the 45th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, Refugee Congress honors this landmark piece of legislation which positioned the United States as a champion and leader for refugee protection. Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, the Refugee Act symbolizes our nation’s moral imperative to provide refuge for those fleeing persecution, violence, war, and climate disasters around the world. It demonstrated our nation’s values of compassion, empathy, and welcome as integral to our national identity.
While we celebrate and honor this lifesaving legislation, we recognize that recent executive orders and actions taken by the Trump administration have threatened our national legacy, endangering the lives of so many people seeking safety and even those who have already found refuge in the U.S. These targeted efforts aim to dismantle the system that protects our neighbors, and directly oppose our collective values of welcome and safety. Still, Americans have made it clear: refugees are welcome.
We invite all to join us this week for a Week of Action to defend refuge and remind our legislators that the United States is and always will be a place for refuge and a beacon of hope for all who seek safety.
“Refugees represent the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit – individuals who, despite having lost everything, bring immeasurable gifts to our communities. They aren't just survivors; they are future leaders, innovators, and neighbors who enrich the fabric of our society,” said Myra Dahgaypaw, Delegate for Virginia. “The Refugee Act of 1980 isn't merely legislation, it is America's promise that compassion would prevail over fear. Today, even as division challenges us, we stand firm in the knowledge that our true strength as a nation lies not in barriers, but in our ability to recognize our own hopes and dreams in those who seek safety on our shores.”
“As a beneficiary of the Refugee Act, I am forever grateful to the American people for giving me a chance to rebuild my life through resettlement. I can never forget when I had to leave everything behind. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I received when I came to the United States,” said Nejra Sumic, Delegate for Arizona. “All of this would be impossible without the longstanding, bipartisan tradition of welcoming refugees. The 45th anniversary of the Refugee Act is a time to remember and celebrate the incredible successes of refugees like me. It’s time to stand together to ensure this great law is not undermined by hateful policies and anti-immigrant rhetoric, and instead remains intact through the love and compassion of communities who care.”
"For 45 years, the Refugee Act of 1980 has stood as a testament to our nation’s commitment to providing safety and opportunity for forcibly displaced people. While challenges persist, the unwavering support of communities across the U.S. reminds us that welcome is not just policy—it’s a shared value of Americans. Now more than ever, we must uphold and strengthen these protections to ensure that America remains a country of hope," said Paul Mwingwa, Delegate for Montana.
"Refugees are not just seeking shelter, they are seeking a future. Welcoming refugees is not just a policy, it is a reflection of our shared humanity. As we mark 45 years of the Refugee Act, let us renew our commitment to providing safety, dignity, and belonging for all," said Sara Deewa, Delegate for New Mexico.
“The Refugee Act of 1980 gave me and countless others a chance to rebuild our lives with dignity, safety, and hope. While we celebrate this historic commitment to welcoming refugees, we must also remain vigilant in protecting these rights from being eroded. America’s strength has always been in its compassion, and we must continue to uphold the promise of safety for those fleeing persecution,” said Aisha Koroma, Delegate for Washington D.C.
“The Refugee Act of 1980 established a legacy of welcome that embodies the core American values of freedom, safety, and dignity. It is a promise to those fleeing violence and persecution that they can find refuge here and rebuild their lives in safety. As an organization built and led by forcibly displaced people, Refugee Congress knows firsthand the life-changing impact of this important piece of legislation. Yet the Trump administration continues to move us in the opposite direction,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director at Refugee Congress. “The executive orders and harmful policies not only undermine our legacy, but also endanger the lives of the very people we promised to protect. Americans value compassion and support welcoming refugees — our communities are stronger when we defend those seeking safety and refuge. It’s time for our elected leaders to put a stop to the politicization of people’s lives and to instead uphold our nation’s historic leadership and promises to protect the safety and dignity of our most vulnerable neighbors.”
“Our American values must be upheld by our governments, regardless of political ideology, and they must commit to offering refuge and hope to those in need. The fundamental right to safety and freedom should never be denied. Indiscriminately dismantling the Refugee Resettlement Program and refusing entry to people who have gone through extensive screening processes – those who have been waiting for us to fulfill the promise we made to them – is not only unjust but also flies in the face of our core American values,” said Sohrab Sharghi, Board of Directors.
“We watched in recent years as doors that once stood open were slammed shut. Cruel policies turned away mothers clutching their babies, families were separated, and hope was replaced with fear. Under the Trump administration, refugee admissions have been slashed to historic lows, protections for asylum seekers gutted, and the very idea of welcome is being challenged. It is a heartbreaking moment for those of us who know what it means to flee danger and start over with nothing but faith in a better tomorrow,” said Rahab Kinity, Associate Delegate. “Yet even in the darkest times, the light of compassion refuses to be extinguished. America’s strength has never come from shutting people out—it has come from the courage of those who dared to believe in it, who built it with their bare hands, and who still, even now, dream of calling it home. So today, as we honor this anniversary, let us not only remember the past but fight for the future. Let us work to rebuild, to reopen, and to restore. Because a nation that truly values freedom and justice does not abandon the most vulnerable—it stands with them.”
“As we commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, let us remember that the strength of our nation lies in its diversity. Every refugee story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the pursuit of a brighter future. As Kofi Annan said, 'We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race,'” said Sharon Njie, Delegate for Louisiana.
“I came here with nothing. America gave me a chance. Now, I save lives. The Refugee Act of 1980 didn’t just open doors—it built futures. Refugees don’t weaken this country; we make it stronger,” said Heval Kelli, Delegate for Georgia.
