New York, NY, June 20, 2020 — Since 2016, overall refugee arrivals to the United States have dropped by 65%, a result of plummeting annual admissions caps, multiple travel bans, and inexplicable processing delays. Select refugee groups have been disproportionately targeted and impacted by changes to the program. Although refugees from Africa and the Middle East account for over 90% of those in need of resettlement, US admissions from these two regions have conversely fallen by 81% and 91% respectively. As national leadership falters in upholding this country’s legacy of welcome, state and local leaders have stepped forward to voice their support.
For the fiscal year 2020, the Administration capped refugee arrivals at 18,000 - the lowest cap in the program’s 40-year history. In an unprecedented policy change, the administration issued Executive Order 13888, mandating that states and counties publicly affirm their commitment to resettle refugees in their jurisdictions. Communities overwhelmingly upheld the program! Before a court injunction blocked further implementation of the Executive Order, a bipartisan group of 43 governors and over 200 local officials informed the Administration of their decision to continue receiving refugees.
In one letter to President Trump, Republican Governor Gary Herbert vocalized Utahns’ eagerness to see more refugees resettled to the state. He wrote: “Our state was founded by religious refugees fleeing persecution in the Eastern United States… As a result, we empathize deeply with individuals and groups who have been forced from their homes.”
While the Administration has drastically reduced refugee admissions refugees step forward to volunteer their skills in response to COVID-19, state officials are taking measures to remove barriers from their path. New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, Massachusetts, and California issued Executive Orders or introduced legislation providing temporary medical licenses to foreign-certified healthcare providers, bolstering the country’s overburdened medical workforce.
This World Refugee Day, we recognize the mayors, county commissioners, governors, judges, council members, and state legislators who have taken action to stand with their refugee neighbors. Leaders such as California Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, who said: “Now, more than ever, we must refuse efforts to turn away those seeking refuge.”
And legislators such as New York Senator Andrew Gounardes who partnered with the IRC and World Central Kitchen to distribute meals to refugees and other populations experiencing food insecurity.
Follow the IRC’s twitter account, beginning on World Refugee Day and continuing through the end of June, where we will be sharing daily highlights of local officials and the refugee communities they stand alongside.
Governor Jared Polis, Colorado
In 2019, Governor Polis reiterated Coloradans’ eagerness to continue welcoming refugees; after a bill codifying Colorado’s Refugee Services Program passed the state legislature with bipartisan support, Governor Polis was proud to sign it into law. You can watch a video of Governor Polis's special World Refugee Day message here or read his remarks below.
“We are so proud to be home to over 60,000 refugees, including those who fled a post-war Vietnam and those who more recently escaped persecution in Iraq. Our participation in the global resettlement program shows Coloradans’ commitment to making the world a better place. And refugees help make our neighborhoods a better place and our whole state better and more prosperous. Over the years we have seen our economy and our culture benefit from the resiliency and skills of our refugee neighbors and this has been especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees are on the front lines in healthcare and other essential industries contributing to our overall safety and wellness.
"On behalf of Colorado we can’t thank our refugee community enough for all that you have done for our state. We are proud to join others across the nation and the world in celebrating World Refugee Day.”
Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, California
Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry was instrumental in introducing AB3133, seeking to protect California’s program by codifying the state’s participation in refugee resettlement.
“The United States is a nation of immigrants. ‘Refugee' is only a modern legal term to describe those in need of a safe haven in today’s world. I am deeply committed to preserving our country and state’s full participation in that effort. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, countless numbers of our first responders and medical professionals who came as refugees have been working every day to save American lives. A virus doesn’t target immigration status, and people who’ve fallen ill care less about their caretaker’s origins than their ability to provide comfort and renewed health.
"Now more than ever, we must refuse efforts to turn away those seeking refuge. Like our ancestors, the next wave of new Americans will contribute to our culture, increase our diversity, and grow our prosperity.”
Assembly Member Todd Gloria, California
In 2019, Assembly Member Gloria authored and successfully advanced a joint resolution declaring California’s steadfast support for its refugee community, and calling upon the Administration to fulfill its promise to resettle 30,000 refugees that fiscal year.
“As Californians, we take pride in our diversity—it is one of the things that make our state so special. Refugees contribute to that diversity, and to our culture and our economy. That’s why I authored an Assembly Resolution declaring that in California we welcome refugees. They are a part of the fabric of our community and they always will be. “
Mayor John Dailey, Tallahassee, Florida
Mayor Dailey highlighted refugees as resilient, hardworking, and innovative, voicing his commitment to welcoming refugees to Tallahassee.
“Refugees are resilient, hardworking people whose innovative skills contribute greatly to Tallahassee’s economic vitality and diversity of culture. From opening and operating businesses to being active and engaged with their neighborhoods and more, as Mayor I’ve seen firsthand how refugees who now call Tallahassee home have become a vital part of the fabric of our community helping to make us stronger.”
Freeholder Sergio Granados, Union County, New Jersey
Freeholder Granados led successful efforts in Union County to encourage a renewed commitment to the local refugee resettlement program.
“Today, refugees contribute to our society in so many beneficial ways including being entrepreneurs, community leaders, advocates, and as emergency personnel. They have been essential in stimulating our economy and bringing diversification to our local communities. Along with my colleagues on the Freeholder Board, I will continue to make Union County a safe and welcoming place for all. In closing, I personally want to thank the IRC for their leadership in being an advocate for all refugees in our community and being a partner with our Union County Freeholder Board in ensuring all our residents have the tools to succeed!"
Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County, Texas
In 2019, Judge Jenkins led the Commissioners of Dallas County in passing a motion honoring the decades-long tradition of resettlement in their jurisdiction, and urging Governor Abbott to support continued resettlement to the state.
“Our greatest strength in Dallas County is our diversity. Refugees embody the American spirit – the way they come here and strive to build a better life for themselves and their families. I am grateful for our refugee friends and neighbors and the invaluable contributions they make to the communities they call home.”
Governor Jay Inslee, Washington
For years, Governor Inslee has demonstrated constant, reliable, and public support for refugees. In a recent letter, Governor Inslee expressed disappointment in national cuts to the resettlement program, and asked the Trump Administration to resume refugee arrivals to Washington.
“Refugee community members are an integral part of Washington’s past, present, and future. Since 1975, our state has welcomed nearly 150,000 refugees from 70 countries around the globe, and our communities are stronger thanks to their many contributions. Refugees are our friends, family, neighbors, classmates, and colleagues. Refugees contribute to all sectors of our economy, including as doctors and nurses, farmers, grocery store workers, delivery drivers, and others on the frontlines of Washington’s COVID-19 response. This World Refugee Day, I’m honored to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to being a welcoming and safe place for those fleeing violence and persecution around the world.”
County Commissioner Diana Lachiondo, Ada County, Idaho
County Commissioner Lachiondo has been a committed advocate of refugees in her community for years: during the 2017 Travel Bans, Diana would show up at the airport to welcome newly-arrived refugees and present them with Boise’s Welcoming City Proclamation. In her current role, Lachiondo was a key leader in committing the county to welcoming the resettlement of refugees within its jurisdiction.
“Ada County has a long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees. From our beginnings in the 1860s, Ada County has benefited from the energy and hard work of its newcomers from all over the globe. And as with those who have come before them we receive back much more than we give when we welcome refugees to our ranks. The Covid-19 crisis has brought this reality into stark relief. Refugees are on the front lines as doctors, nurses, hospital janitors, grocery store workers and food producers. They are literally keeping our community running while we get through this time. I’m proud to stand with refugees and look forward to all we will achieve together in the future.”
City Council Member Shawn Barigar, Twin Falls, Idaho
Current City Council Member Barigar has been a strong supporter of refugees resettled to the Twin Falls community. In one of his last acts as Mayor, Barigar and the Twin Falls City Council sent Idaho Governor Little a letter highlighting the resettlement program’s local success, and encouraging Governor Little to reaffirm Idaho’s legacy of welcome.
“The City of Twin Falls is committed to building a community where all residents are welcomed, accepted, and given the opportunity to connect with each other without bias in pursuit of common goals. Refugees who resettle in our community bring a chance for us to learn from them by sharing their culture, their skills and talents, and their humanity. We, in turn, provide the foundation for them to rebuild a new life through vital employment, shelter, and support. Our community-wide welcome promotes unity, inclusion, understanding, and equity. I'm proud to welcome these new neighbors!”
Senator Andrew Gounardes, New York
Senator Gounardes co-sponsored legislation calling for $5million in state funding to go towards refugee resettlement in New York, hosting a press event in support of the effort. In response to the COVID-19, Senator Gounardes partnered with the IRC and World Central Kitchen to distribute meals to those experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.
“We have an obligation to open our hands, our hearts, and our doors to anyone who comes here in search of a better life for themselves and their families, regardless of who they are, where they come from, when they come here, what God they pray to, who they love, or what the color of their skin is.
"Refugees enrich our communities every single day by contributing to our local economy, creating new jobs and businesses, enriching our neighborhood diversity through the sharing of their lived experiences, and most of all, reminding all of us just how precious our shared human connections really are.”
Representative Connie Keogh, Montana
State Representative Keogh signed-on to a letter calling upon the Administration to set a refugee cap in accordance with global humanitarian need and the country’s capacity to assist. She further wrote about her personal commitment to defending Montana’s refugee community in a local op-ed.
“Missoula is better and stronger because of the refugees that live here. As a legislator representing Missoula County, I am deeply concerned about efforts to block refugees from coming to our community.”
Mayor John Engen, Missoula, Montana
With resettlement only beginning in 2016 in Missoula, Mayor Engen has been instrumental in welcoming refugees to the community; he has consistently affirmed the positive cultural and economic impacts on the community from the program.
“Missoula has a rich history of welcoming refugees dating back to the 1970s, when a number of Hmong people from Laos found a new home in the Missoula Valley. Those refugees, now residents and citizens of our community, planted roots as well as gardens, reared generations of children who are thriving as Americans and Missoulians, contributing to our place as productive, active, engaged human beings.
"In addition, Hmong culture has become a wonderful patch in the big quilt that is Missoula. My hope, and I suspect that it’s not far-fetched, is that our Congolese, Eritrean, Syrian, Iraqi and other refugees will bring the best of their cultures to Missoula, adopt and adapt to our blended culture and enjoy the same success and contribute in the same ways the Hmong have over generations.
"We’re lucky to live among folks who welcome refugees, understand the value of diversity, appreciate differences, respect human life and dignity and look forward to a future in which the great American experiment, which began long ago, continues to produce resilient, interesting, thriving communities.”
Senator Dominick Moreno, Colorado
Senator Moreno introduced legislation in 2019 to codify Colorado’s participation in the US resettlement program. The legislation passed with bipartisan support, and was signed into law by Governor Polis.
“Refugees enrich their communities with their kindness, perseverance and fellowship. They bring new perspectives that help us problem solve and innovate more creatively. Refugees are always ready to lend a helping hand and lift up their community.”
Governor Gary Herbert, Utah
Governor Herbert has repeatedly defended the refugee resettlement program in Utah, and recently indicated his and Utahns’ desire to see more refugees resettled to their community. He recorded his message in a video which you can watch here.
“On behalf of the entire state of Utah, I want to wish you all a happy World Refugee Day. The 65,000 who call Utah home enrich our state by sharing their unique heritage and experiences. Their resiliency, resourcefulness, and hope strengthens our economy and our communities. We are proud to call refugees our friends and our neighbors. So please take the time to recognize the significant contributions refugees make to our great state.”
Assembly Member Evan Low, California
Assembly Member Evan Low introduced AB2113 which would expedite reviews of licensing applications submitted by refugees, enabling more rapid professional achievement and economic self-sufficiency.
“Refugees are integral to the fabric and the history of our communities in California and the United States. We see it every day, as our refugee neighbors work as teachers, health care workers, and small business owners. The refugee experience is a one of resilience, courage, and hope—and our communities are greater for it. California and the rest of the nation must continue its global leadership in ensuring we support refugees during every step of their resettlement.”