Refugee Congress Applauds Announcement of Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement and Responds to New Asylum Rule
Refugee Congress Applauds Announcement of Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement and Responds to New Asylum Rule
For Immediate Release: March 30, 2022
WASHINGTON–Refugee Congress applauds the recent announcements by the Biden administration that as many as 100,000 Ukrainians will be admitted to the U.S. as refugees and through other means, and that asylum officers – not just judges – will now be able to decide if people can stay in the U.S. while seeking asylum.
We are devastated to watch the events unfolding in Ukraine. The UNHCR estimates that more than 3.6 million refugees have fled Ukraine since February. In addition to displacement of Ukrainians, Ukraine hosts refugees from other countries, including Afghanistan, and our hearts go out to all the families and children who may be forced once again to leave everything behind as they flee for their lives.
For people seeking asylum at the U.S. border, the new rule allowing for asylum officers to decide asylum claims could help reduce the length of time people wait to have their cases heard. There is a significant backlog in immigration courts, creating years-long waits for many asylum-seekers.
We are hopeful because the new asylum rule could result in shortened wait times for people seeking safety. However, we are also concerned that requiring a timeframe of 90 days for cases that were not approved by an asylum officer to be heard by an immigration judge could lead to people not being able to access legal representation.
As an organization built and led by former refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants, we know firsthand the importance of providing safety for individuals and families fleeing violence and persecution. Globally, we are facing a worldwide displacement crisis, with 84 million people displaced, including more than 26 million refugees, the largest numbers in history.
“These announcements give me hope because I see the U.S. doing more to welcome refugees and asylum-seekers,” said Carmen Kcomt, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate. “I have big hopes that we will be ready to welcome them like they deserve. However, we need to make sure we are ready to truly welcome them with open hearts and provide the supports they need. They are coming from suffering, from losing everything. We need to do more to make sure we are the welcoming nation we strive to be.”
“We are sick and tired of seeing our children dying from wars and violence.
As we applaud these announcements, we call on the Biden administration to welcome people seeking refuge from other global crises that have resulted in displacement. There are millions of refugees seeking safety around the world who may wait decades for resettlement. We also call for an end to Title 42, a policy that allows for the inhumane expulsion of people who are seeking asylum and endangers adults and children who are fleeing violence and persecution.
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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
