Refugee Congress urges Congress to support the Refugee Protection Act 2022
Washington DC - On December 22, 2022, Representative Lofgren (D-CA-19) and Senator Leahy (D-VT) re-introduced the Refugee Protection Act (RPA). Despite several attempts to update this important piece of legislation, the RPA has seen no major changes since it was first introduced in 1980. While it has provided the framework for our refugee resettlement asylum protection processes, it is in desperate need of updates to meet the growing need of the current global refugee crisis. Refugee Congress calls on Congress to support the Refugee Protection Act 2022.
There are an estimated 100 million forcibly displaced people in the world today, including more than 32.5 million refugees. As the Biden administration continues the alarming trend of undermining the right to asylum, it is imperative that we restore and fortify legal resettlement pathways for all vulnerable migrants. The RPA is a critical, holistic piece of legislation designed to meet the needs of not only refugees, but also asylum-seekers and the communities that welcome them.
“Refugees have contributed immensely to the socio-economic fabric of our various societies. The US has always played a leadership role in providing hope to the persecuted and vulnerable populations around the world. We urge the Biden Administration to take the necessary steps to safeguard the refugee and asylum programs,” said Joseph Sackor, Honorary Delegate for Pennsylvania.
“The US has historically been the global humanitarian leader in refugee protection, and the reintroduction of the Refugee Protection Act is a critical step towards safeguarding our protection pathways from any future attempts to undermine and dismantle them,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “As humanitarian crises grow more frequent and more severe, the RPA sets forth updates that address the harsh realities facing people who seek protection in the US. Refugee Congress leaders know firsthand how vital this legislation is. We thank our many allies for supporting the RPA and urge Congress to move swiftly to pass it.”
As an organization built and led by former refugees and asylees, Refugee Congress knows intimately the challenges that come with seeking protection in the US. Welcoming refugees and asylum-seekers is part of the fabric of our nation. We have a responsibility to use our capacity and wealth of resources to support vulnerable migrants seeking shelter from violence, persecution, and oppression. The regressions of the past six years have crippled our ability to live up to our stated ideals and values. We urge Congress to act now to implement the necessary safeguards to protect refugees and asylum-seekers by supporting the Refugee Protection Act 2022.
