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As the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30) approaches, the Trump Administration is required to determine the number of refugees allowed to be admitted to the U.S., a process known as the "Presidential Determination". The FY2020 number was set at 18,000 refugees, the all-time-lowest number in the history of resettlement. Meanwhile, there are over 26 million refugees worldwide with approximately 2 million needing resettlement.
Despite the continued global need, it is uncertain that President Trump will even announce a Presidential Determination, meaning no refugees could even come to the United States to reunite with their families or be free from religious persecution. Already there has been a huge loss for religious minorities, for example in 2016, 1524 Iraqi Christians received refuge in the United States, in 2019, only 86 did- a 94% decrease.
As Catholics, we affirm the inherent dignity of every person and the ability of refugees to seek security and safety for themselves and family members. We continue to be deeply concerned that ending refugee resettlement mean that refugees fleeing persecution are left in harm's way, that refugee families are left separated across the continents and that the U.S. retreats in its global leadership position.
Take Action!
Read and Learn More about Religious Persecuted Refugees.
Learn more about refugees and refugee resettlement on the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants resource page.
In Solidarity,
Tony Cube
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