April 6, 2022
Media Contact: memargolis@voiceforrefuge.org
Dozens of Organizations Urge Biden to Welcome Refugees Without Discrimination
Following the Administration’s Support for Ukrainian Refugees, 56 organizations outline recommendations to improve access to protection for all refugees and at-risk migrant populations
New York City– Voice for Refuge Action Fund, along with 56 advocacy and faith-based organizations, today urged the Biden Administration to devote the same level of attention, resources and urgency to protecting refugees from all other regions of the world as has been afforded to refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine. The call came in a letter outlining 6 recommendations for the Biden Administration and Congress to welcome without discrimination, including granting Temporary Protected Status to at-risk populations and prioritizing refugee family reunification. Along with the letter, Voice for Refuge delivered a petition signed by more than 400 individuals urging President Biden to welcome all refugees.
“The administration’s quick and comprehensive response to the refugee crisis caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine demonstrates what is possible for all at-risk families fleeing violence and conflict. We must stand together with all refugees and migrants seeking safety. All refugees–regardless of where they come from or how they worship–deserve protection,” said Voice for Refuge Acting Managing Director, Mary Elizabeth Margolis.
In the days and weeks that have followed since Russia first invaded Ukraine, forcing millions of Ukrainians to flee, the United States has responded quickly and in important ways to meet the needs of this moment.
The organizations wrote, “We want to say thank you to the administration for granting TPS for Ukrainians, championing billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, and announcing the intention to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees. However, the domestic response to Ukraine has stood in stark contrast to ongoing crises in Yemen, Tigray, Syria, and in other regions and countries around the world…In the United States, TPS was immediately granted for Ukraine, while communities from Bahamas, Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sierra Leone still wait for TPS amid their country’s respective civil wars, crises of violence, and other extraordinary conditions…Furthermore, many of the 76,000 Afghans who were evacuated to the United States are now in limbo while Congress fails to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act to allow those with humanitarian parole to be granted a pathway to long-term status.”
“These points highlight the growing disparity in our response – or lack thereof – to the needs of individuals and families that the United States has confirmed commitments and legal obligations to aid and protect. In addition to extending TPS to the aforementioned countries, upholding refugee law without discrimination, and robustly implementing Executive Order #13985 that was signed during this Administration’s first day in office, we also recommend the following 6 steps the administration should immediately take to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to meet the ongoing and present need of the growing refugee population.”
Read the letter and recommendations to the Biden Administration here.
Organizations who have signed this letter in agreement (in alphabetical order)
Access Living/ Cambiando Vidas
African American Ministers In Action
Americans for Immigrant Justice
Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors
Ascentria Care Alliance
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)
Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture
Border Network for Human Rights
Bridges Faith Initiative
Center for Disability Rights
Chris Palusky, President and CEO, Bethany Christian Services
Church World Service
Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS)
Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship West
Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries
El Calvario UMC-IAC
Ethiopian Community Development Council
Faiths for Safe Water
Fellowship Southwest
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Freedom Network USA
Haitian Bridge Alliance
HIAS
IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
Islamic Relief USA
Journey’s End Refugee Services
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Miami Valley Immigration Coalition
Mississippi Center for Justice
Motivation Motivates
National Council of Churches
National Council of Jewish Women
National Partnership for New Americans
OneAmerica
Presbyterian Church (USA)
RAICES
Refuge America
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team
Social Eco Education (SEE)
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Union for Reform Judaism
We Are All America
Welcoming America
Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration
Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center
Witness At The Border
Women’s Campaign International
Woodhull Freedom Foundation
World Education Services, Inc.
Voice for Refuge Action Fund
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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