Statement of Yasmine Taeb, Legislative Representative for Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Hearing on: “Oversight of the Administration’s FY 2017 Refugee Resettlement Program.”
Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Schumer, and members of the Subcommittee: I am honored to submit this testimony for the record on behalf of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Quakers are challenged to answer that of God in all people and therefore called to act with openness to all refugees, regardless of their country of origin or religion. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) calls on Congress to treat refugees with the same dignity and respect and urges the Committee to support the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
Since 1943, FCNL has lobbied Congress to prevent war, protect vulnerable populations, and support effective, principled policies to help build a more peaceful world. The world is now grappling with the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. More than 65 million people are displaced worldwide, including 21 million refugees. Nearly 34,000 people are forced to flee their homes every day due to conflict and persecution.
Syrian refugees seeking resettlement worldwide total nearly 4.9 million. Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt are currently hosting 4.8 million Syrian refugees while the United States has been able to resettle only around 14,000. Of the Syrian refugees who have resettled in the United States, 77 percent of them are women and children.
On September 19, the United Nations General Assembly convened a summit on refugees and migrants. At this historic gathering, the U.N. approved a Declaration recognizing the obligation of member states to share the responsibility for hosting and supporting refugees. The following day, President Obama convened a Leaders’ Summit on Refugees at which he underscored our country’s duty to do its part to respond to the magnitude of this crisis. The responsibility of the United States to collaborate with other nations and lead by example in this time of crisis cannot be ignored.
FCNL urges members of Congress to reject any proposals that would stop, pause, or obstruct refugee resettlement in the United States. This includes proposals that would block critical funding increases for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, as well as proposals that would create needless roadblocks to refugee entry in the name of security. The United States has a history of welcoming refugees and immigrants. Since 1975, the United States has successfully resettled more than 3 million refugees. It has done so by investing in English classes, job-search training, and other programs that help refugees become self-sufficient, tax-paying contributors to their communities. The United States must continue to welcome people fleeing violence and persecution, and it must continue to invest in their success.
The United States also has the most secure, vetted, and robust refugee screening process in the world, which involves the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies. The entire vetting process, which includes biometric and investigatory background checks, fingerprints, photographs, and in-person interviews, takes 18 to 24 months. Syrian refugees also undergo iris scans to verify their identities and must prove that they are not affiliated with any terrorist group.
As a faith community, FCNL urges members of Congress to speak up and speak out against derogatory, inflammatory, and fear-mongering rhetoric about refugees; it has no place in response to any humanitarian crisis. FCNL unequivocally opposes any legislation or proposal that prioritizes Christian refugees at the expense of Muslim refugees and individuals from other faiths resettling in the United States. It is our responsibility as Americans to welcome those most in need, offer refuge, and lift up our shared humanity.
People around the United States are ready and willing to welcome refugees into their homes, communities, and hearts. Higher walls do not make our communities safe or thriving; building stronger bridges does. We are called as people of faith to work in community with and answer that of God in each person – we ask that Congress do the same and welcome refugees with open hearts and minds.
