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IRC monthly update
APRIL 2021
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President Biden hasn’t lifted a Trump-era limit on refugees. Go inside the president’s decision to maintain his predecessor’s record-low cap on admissions, leaving thousands of families in limbo, and get the facts on refugee resettlement in the U.S.
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President Biden hasn't lifted a Trump-era limit on refugees: the facts
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Patrice Maneno hadn’t seen his daughter in five years when she was finally scheduled to resettle alongside him in Boise, Idaho with her children.
"She was at the airport," he says. "Then, from nowhere, the flight was canceled. She was told that there is something the U.S. president has to sign before they can come to America. They are still just waiting."
Over 700 refugees experienced the same distress while President Joe Biden delayed signing the presidential determination (or PD), the order that sets the annual refugee resettlement goal for the United States.
If you’re not caught up, here’s what happened: President Biden had said that goal would be 62,500, considerably higher than the record-low 15,000 set by the Trump Administration for 2021.
Instead, on April 16, the president announced that while he would reverse his predecessor’s discriminatory refugee admissions categories, he would maintain the 15,000 cap on resettlement.
Knowing that this decision would leave thousands of refugees like Patrice's daughter in limbo and in need of safety, the International Rescue Committee and others spoke out. Just a few hours later, the Biden Administration issued a follow-up statement indicating it would provide a final refugee admissions number for the fiscal year on May 15.
Now, we need to tell President Biden to keep his promise. Get the facts on refugee resettlement in the U.S. and find out what you can do.
P.S. Already caught up and ready to take action? Email President Biden today and tell him to uphold his promise to refugees.
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The IRC around the world
How climate change drives humanitarian crises
As the Earth warms, more frequent and intense natural disasters are destroying homes and livelihoods, fueling violent conflicts and upending people's lives. Learn more and find out what needs to be done.
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The puppet show teaching children in Yemen how to protect themselves from COVID-19
Puppet cows, foxes and other friendly animals are teaching children in Al-Manshar camp for displaced people in southern Yemen how to wash their hands and avoid crowded places. Meet the puppets.
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Seven ways the IRC is fighting COVID-19, one year onp
With support from our donors, IRC staff on the frontlines have adapted our health services for social distancing, expanded access to clean water, provided remote education to children, and offered cash relief and job opportunities to help families meet basic needs. Go inside our work.
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One thing you can do
Tell President Biden to raise the refugee cap
With the Biden Administration committing to resettle only 15,000 refugees - a goal set by the Trump administration and the lowest in history - the need for action is clear. Join the IRC in calling on President Biden to keep his promise and set a goal of 62,500 admissions without delay.
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IRC in the news
Past vaccination campaigns can teach us how to immunize billions
The IRC’s senior health director Mesfin Teklu Tessema was in Reuters to write about the lessons we can learn from vaccinating people in crisis zones.
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