ACT NOW to Protect Refugee Resettlement
JFI Members,
In this critical moment, the President is deciding the number of refugees that can be admitted into the United States. We urge you to let the President and Congress know of your strong support for refugees and resettlement. Please participate in and share with your networks the action alert supporting refugees and this statement of support from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As September 30, 2019, (the end of the fiscal year) approaches, the Trump Administration is required to announce the Presidential Determination (PD) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, which determines the number of refugees allowed to be admitted to the United States. The FY2019 PD was set at 30,000 refugees, the all-time-lowest number in the history of resettlement. Meanwhile, there are nearly 26 million refugees worldwide with 1.4 million needing resettlement.
Despite the continued global need, some in the Trump Administration are reportedly calling to "zero out" the program for FY 2020. USCCB said that zeroing out the refugee program "would be contrary to America values." The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom registered their "alarm." The Senate and House have both introduced the Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act, GRACE Act, S. 1088, H.R. 2146, which would set 95,000 as the minimum PD.
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 low admission numbers mean that refugees fleeing persecution are left in harms' way and that refugee families are left separated across the continents. For this reason, the U.S. Catholic Bishops urge you to express solidarity with refugees now in this moment of great need.
Learn more about refugees and refugee resettlement on our resource page.
TAKE ACTION
Urge President Trump:
To admit 30,000 refugees in FY 19 and 95,000 in FY 20.
Urge your U.S. Representative and Senators:
(1) To urge the Administration to admit 30,000 refugees in FY 19 and 95,000 in FY 20;
(2) To provide robust oversight and appropriations to achieve both goals, and
(3) To support the GRACE Act that would establish a minimum annual refugee admission goal of 95,000.
Click here to send the following message to the President and your U.S. Representative and Senators:
President Trump,
Please do not "zero out" the refugee resettlement program. Return to robust refugee resettlement which is a life-saving program that exhibits U.S. leadership.
The Catholic community is committed to supporting people seeking refuge in our country, and we stand with you in providing protection and safety for refugees. Thank you for your work!
Members of Congress,
We urge you to utilize oversight and support the Administration in all efforts to ensure refugees can arrive to the United States during the rest of 2019 and in 2020. And co-sponsor and support the Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act, GRACE Act, S. 1088/H.R. 2146, which would establish a minimum annual admission goal of 95,000 refugees.
During this crucial time of decision, the Catholic community stands with you in supporting protections for refugees, and we thank you for your work.
The time is NOW for you to use your voice for our Refugee Sisters and Brothers!
In Solidarity,
Tony Cube
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3211 Fourth Street, NE Washington, DC 20017
Phone: (202) 541-3064 Fax: (202) 722-8711
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