Refugee Congress Denounces Record-Low Admissions Goal

Refugee Congress Denounces Record-Low Refugee Admissions Goal

For Immediate Release: Oct. 28, 2020

WASHINGTON—Refugee Congress strongly denounces the Trump Administration’s new record-low refugee admissions goal of just 15,000 refugees — which includes 6,000 spots that went unused in fiscal year 2020.

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has been dismantling and destroying the U.S. refugee resettlement program. The program has historically had strong bipartisan support, with a historic norm over the past four decades of 95,000 per year.

The refugee resettlement program is a critical life-save program that upholds this nation’s tradition of welcome to those fleeing violence and persecution. These actions are leaving refugees in unsafe conditions and keeping families apart.

Communities across the country have shown tremendous support for this important program: more than 180 organizations, 540 state and local elected officials and 600 faith leaders and faith-based groups have recently expressed support for setting refugee admissions at the historic level.

As an organization built and led by former refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants, we know firsthand the ways that refugees 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 call on everyone to call your Senators and Representatives today and call for them to restore the refugee resettlement program by setting a refugee admissions goal of 95,000 and expanding the categories of refugee admissions to include all refugees. A refugee resettlement admissions level of at least 95,000, the bipartisan historic norm for this program, is critical to maintaining our commitment to refugees.

Perspectives from the Refugee Congress community: