US Together Statement on Proposed FY2021 Refugee Admissions of 15,000

Columbus, OH—Late last night, just minutes before the deadline, news broke that the Trump administration plans to set the Fiscal Year 2021 refugee admissions ceiling at just 15,000, once again a dramatic all-time low. This would be a 16.5% decrease from last year’s ceiling of 18,000, which was already the lowest number in the history of the US Refugee Admissions Program. Historically, refugee resettlement has seen strong bipartisan commitment, with an average of 95,000 refugees resettled each year prior to 2017.

The US Refugee Admissions Program, once the leader in the world for resettling refugees, needs our vocal support more than ever. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are nearly 30 million refugees in the world—the highest number in human history. As the world faces uncertainty in a global pandemic, now is the time to express our compassion and our willingness to welcome refugees, rather than ignore the needs of the most vulnerable.

The Refugee Admissions Program saves lives. Refugees help to build a stronger, safer America. Not just because they bring diversity and economic growth to our cities and neighborhoods, but also because 176,000 former refugees work in the American healthcare sector, fighting on the front lines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Administration’s drastic cut in refugee admissions has not yet been consulted with Congress, and thus this is still a pending decision. Please call your Senators and Representative and tell them to demand raising the number of refugees admitted to the United States in 2021. You can also share this bipartisan letter expressing support for the Refugee Admissions Program, signed by more than 540 elected officials from both sides of the aisle.

There has never been a more critical time to show your support for the work of the refugee resettlement community. Consider making a donation to US Together so that we may continue to welcome and serve.