Dear John,

Only 10,200 refugees were admitted to the United States during the fiscal year ending September 30, by far the lowest number in the history of refugee admissions. The year ahead may be even worse.

Call your Senators. Call your Congressional Representative: Tell them to urge the Trump administration to restore the U.S. refugee program.

Each year before September 30, the president is required to consult with Congress about the number of refugees the Administration plans to admit in the upcoming year. Over the past four years the Trump administration has greatly shrunk the U.S. refugee program, decreasing planned annual refugee admissions from 110,000 in 2016, under the previous Administration, to just 18,000 this year.

The U.S. has historically resettled more refugees annually than all the other countries in the world combined, welcoming an average of 95,000 refugees per year. Last year, for the first time, the United States was no longer the leader in refugee admissions. When the U.S. closes its doors, other wealthy nations follow its example, and refugees remain stuck in camps and dangerous situations around the world.

Call your Senators. Call your Congressional Representative: Tell them to ensure that the Administration revitalizes the life-saving U.S. refugee program. 

Refugees are our neighbors, colleagues, and community members. In this time of crisis, over 300,000 of them have been working in front-line industries. Refugee admissions can be done safely and are a vital component of helping the world recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

In solidarity,

Veena Iyer

ILCM Executive Director