FCNL joined over 30 organizations throughout the month of June, urging members of Congress every day to call for the administration to value refugees and their contributions to U.S. communities.
Dear Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives,
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is dedicated to pursuing policies that uphold and sustain the inherent worth, contributions, and dignity of each person. Since our founding in 1943, FCNL has held a deep concern for refugees and all individuals who are forcibly displaced from their homes. As we observe World Refugee Day today, June 20, FCNL asks Congress to urge the administration to meet this year’s goal to resettle 45,000 refugees, set a goal of resettling at least 75,000 refugees in fiscal year 2019 (FY19), and invest in vigorous refugee resettlement at home and protection abroad.
Our nation is failing in our faithful responsibility to welcome the stranger. The global community is facing the worst refugee crisis in history, with upwards of 65 million people displaced worldwide. An unprecedented 22.5 million people are refugees fleeing to other countries, the highest number in recorded history. Between 75 and 80 percent of refugees and internally displaced people are women and children. Our nation has historically led the way when it comes to permanent refugee resettlement, yet the Trump administration set a record low goal of admitting 45,000 refugees during fiscal year 2018 (FY18). Even worse, more than halfway through FY18 the U.S. is only on track to resettle 20,000 refugees. This is a shameful abdication of our responsibility, and must be rectified. Congressional leadership is key to ensuring the administration meets this years’ goal for refugee resettlement.
U.S. leadership in refugee resettlement and protection helps advance global security and stability. Resettling refugees permanently in the United States and ensuring that refugees forced from their homes are protected in neighboring countries is an essential piece of shared security across nations. Congress can also work to advance sustainable peacebuilding solutions that remedy root causes of violent conflict that drives people from their homes. Furthermore, welcoming refugees make U.S. communities stronger and our nation has capacity to welcome more refugees during the worst refugee crisis in history. Refugees contribute meaningfully to the U.S. economy as both earners and taxpayers. When given the opportunity to rebuild their lives, former refugees fully invest themselves in their new worship communities, businesses, schools, and civil society.
FCNL calls on members of Congress to urge the administration to resettle at least 75,000 refugees in FY19, and ensure the administration meets the goal of resettling 45,000 refugees by the end of FY18.
As Quakers, we believe that our government and the people of the United States have a responsibility and an opportunity to welcome those most in need, offer refuge, and uplift our shared humanity in policies and actions. In these times, with a record number of refugees around the world, welcoming the stranger is no longer just an ideal — it must be the reality we practice. We urge members of Congress to join us in this faithful call to champion refugee resettlement and protection.
Sincerely,
Diane Randall
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
