Call To Action

BREAKING NEWS: According to an article from Politico, the Administration is considering slashing the 2020 refugee admissions ceiling number to ZERO. On average, since 1980, the annual Presidential Determination number has exceeded 95,000 persons. The Administration last year cut the annual admissions ceiling for the year at 30,000... the lowest ceiling in the history of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Setting the refugee resettlement admissions number to zero is unconscionable and would be the end of the refugee resettlement in the United States.

Following the Administration’s new interim rule barring access to asylum, any further dismantling—or worse, elimination—of the refugee resettlement program in FY2020 would amount to a total refugee ban. The message is clear: no one is welcome, no matter how they seek safety, no matter what persecution they face.

We are facing the largest global refugee crisis in recorded history, with more than 70.8 million people displaced from their homes, 25.9 million of whom are registered refugees. Refugee resettlement reflects American core values and is in our strategic, economic, and diplomatic best interests.

As friends of refugees, we know the challenges newcomers face are greater than ever. We ask that you to join us in upholding our nation’s commitment to protect those seeking freedom, safety and refugee in the United States and demand we remain a welcoming country for refugees. Please join us in taking action by picking up the phone and using social media to urge your local officials on the Judiciary Committees ensure the U.S. resettles 95,000 refugees in FY20 by asking for their support in the GRACE Act--the Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act.

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winning author and refugee activist.

Sample scripts for phone calls and social media posts are available on this page.

Call your local representatives offices on the Judiciary Committees and express your concerns:

• Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) – (202) 225-2011 | @RepMGS
• Representative Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) – (202) 225-2065 | @GReschenthaler

Call your local representatives to thank them for supporting the GRACE act:

• Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA) – (202) 225-4731 | @RepDean
• Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA) - (202) 224-6324 | @SenBobCasey
• Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE) – (202) 224-5042 | @ChrisCoons

Sample script:
"My name is _______ and I’m a concerned U.S. citizen. I urge you to support the U.S. refugee resettlement program and act immediately. I strongly oppose the proposed refugee admissions number at zero in 2020—the lowest in U.S. history and a complete end to the refugee resettlement program.

Refugee resettlement is a strong bipartisan tradition that reflects American values. The program is a strong diplomatic tool and enhances stability in critical regions, alleviating the strain on our allies while reducing the potential for conflict and terrorism. I also urge you to support the continued arrival of Special Immigrant Visa holders from Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave and committed individuals have played a critical role in our national security and should be afforded the opportunities for safety and protection.

Refugees also strengthen the American economy and are a true investment. I urge you to do everything in your power to see the Administration attend the required judiciary consultations on the Presidential Determination and resettle at least 95,000 refugees in fiscal year 2020. America CAN and SHOULD welcome 95,000 refugees as a world leader and should enact GRACE Act—the Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act—which will set an annual refugee admissions floor of 95,000, a crucial step towards preserving the state of the refugee resettlement program.

My community welcomes refugees and immigrants, and I urge you to do the same."

Sample Social Media posts:

• America stands for welcome, banning refugees and asylum seekers is not who we are or what we stand for. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• Shutting down the refugee resettlement program is an assault on our values. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• Refugees built America, we must not slam the door on those seeking safety. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• Banning refugees would hurt our communities. We must say no. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• @realDonaldTrump, turning our backs on Iraqis who worked alongside our military is wrong and unacceptable. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• We must protect religious minorities and other families in harm’s way. If we don’t, no one will. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement
• Who will be harmed by shutting down the refugee resettlement program? Victims of violent conflict, American communities, families who are separated, our allies. ALL OF US. #NORefugeeBans #SaveRefugeeResettlement

https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/19/politics/trump-admin-zero-refugees/index.html