Refugee Congress Applauds the Biden Administration’s New Refugee Admissions Goal and Calls for More to Rebuild Welcome
Refugee Congress Applauds the Biden Administration’s New Refugee Admissions Goal and Calls for More to Rebuild Welcome
For immediate release: October 12, 2021
WASHINGTON--Refugee Congress applauds the Biden administration’s announcement of the new FY 2022 Presidential Determination (PD) to welcome 125,000 refugees. This represents an important step toward rebuilding the United States’ commitment to welcoming people fleeing violence and persecution.
Amidst the worst global displacement crisis in history and the previous administration’s decimation of the refugee resettlement program, this commitment is an important signal to the global community that the U.S. is ready to resume its role as a global humanitarian leader.
While we welcome this important step, we are also faced with a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan that has resulted in thousands of Afghans seeking safety and refuge, and this commitment to welcoming 125,000 must come hand-in-hand with investing in the necessary programs and infrastructure.
“The commitment to welcoming 125,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2022 is encouraging, and we are hopeful that this administration will help undo the damage done to our protection systems over the past four years. But it is not enough to make a commitment. Commitments must be met with action. We hope to see robust levels of investment in our resettlement and asylum programs, and to see an immediate shift away from the shameful practice we’ve seen in recent days of deporting Haitians at our border. Refugees are vital to our communities, and our conduct must reflect that,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director for Refugee Congress.
Each year, the president consults with Congress and then sets a refugee admissions goal, also known as the Presidential Determination. Under the Trump administration, a record-low refugee admissions cap and numerous discriminatory actions significantly threatened the refugee resettlement program. We are encouraged that President Biden is taking action to restore the program.
“Refugees are welcome here in the United States. Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping your promises,” said Lubab Al-Quraishi, Refugee Congress Delegate for New Jersey.
At the same time, the Biden administration must do more. We are outraged at the treatment and deportation of people from Haiti seeking asylum and call for the Biden administration to stop deportations to Haiti. We must do more to ensure that our welcome and support extends to all individuals who seek protection at our borders.
"President Biden’s PD of 125,000 for FY 2022 is only the initial step for humans seeking safety. As a refugee from Việt Nam, I recognize the clear distinction between a PD and the actual arrival of refugees. Let’s not be distracted by political verbiage. Our efforts need to be focused upon ensuring that all 125,000 refugees will safely arrive to the U.S. and that the President fully upholds his commitment," said Nga Vương-Sandoval, Delegate for Colorado.
As former refugees and asylees, we know firsthand what it is like to wait in a refugee camp, hoping for a promise to be fulfilled. Today, there are more than 82 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including an unprecedented 26.4 million refugees. Too many people like us, fleeing violence and persecution, have waited too long with their lives at risk. The refugee resettlement program and asylum programs are critical life-save programs that uphold this nation’s tradition of welcome to those fleeing violence and persecution.
Welcoming refugees is the right thing to do -- not only on humanitarian grounds but also for the betterment of our communities and economy. Refugees and asylees strengthen our communities, as doctors, nurses and other health providers serving on the frontlines against COVID-19; as entrepreneurs and business owners; as chefs, delivery drivers, teachers, religious leaders, service workers and volunteers; and as community members, neighbors and friends.
We applaud the Biden administration’s steps towards rebuilding the refugee resettlement program and call for more to rebuild and strengthen our nation’s welcome to those in need of refuge. The administration must provide support needed to ensure we can welcome 125,000 refugees this fiscal year, restore all asylum protections and end Title 42 deportations.
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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
