New York City–– Voice for Refuge today welcomed the Biden Administration’s new Fiscal Year refugee admissions goal of 125,000 and urged the administration to follow this goal with a renewed commitment to providing the robust support needed to meet this goal.
“From responding to the fall of Kabul to the invasion of Ukraine, this year has been a remarkable one for U.S. refugee resettlement. Yet there is so much work to be done to fully honor this commitment to refugees– especially those from other vulnerable refugee populations and separated families who have been waiting years for safety and protection in the United States,” said Voice for Refuge Acting Managing Director Mary Elizabeth Margolis. “It’s time for Congress and the administration to get to work to ensure that we can make this goal a reality.”
Given crises in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and so many other regions and countries around the world, it is vital that the U.S. responds to these humanitarian crises by leading by example– welcoming refugees, providing asylum, and creating designated parole programs to ensure the most vulnerable are protected. The United States is capable of welcoming individuals and families searching for safety, and when we do, we remind ourselves of our nation’s core values of protecting the vulnerable and welcoming the displaced.
It is equally clear that the administration must take immediate action to prioritize other forms of humanitarian protection, including restoring all asylum protections, ending Title 42 expulsions, and passing the Afghan Adjustment Act. So while we applaud the intention to set the refugee resettlement admissions goal to 125,000 as promised, we encourage the administration to take action to meet the current humanitarian needs of this moment and utilize all of its tools to rebuild our nation’s capacity to welcome.
About Voice for Refuge: Voice for Refuge is the first 501(c)4 organization created to advance pro-refugee policies at the national, state, and local level and to hold elected leaders accountable to upholding America’s legacy of welcome. Voice for Refuge is educating the public about the benefits of refugee resettlement, advocating for pro-refugee policies in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures, and increasing civic engagement among refugees through non-partisan voter education. Voice for Refuge will also promote the representation of refugees in government by supporting former refugees and pro-refugee candidates running for office at the national, state, and local level. For more information or to get involved visit voiceforrefuge.org or contact info@voiceforrefuge.org.
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