Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming individuals from around the world who are seeking protection and refuge. But recent U.S. policy has grown increasingly hostile toward asylum seekers and refugees. Instead of turning vulnerable individuals away, the United States should maintain its global reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement and humanitarian protection. Doing so not only upholds American values but sustains and strengthens our communities. Data from the Council shows that refugees and asylees make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Learn more about the contributions and challenges of asylum seekers and refugees below.
Statement for the Senate Judiciary Committee on “The Unaccompanied Children Crisis: Does the Administration Have a Plan to Stop the Border Surge and Adequately Monitor the Children?”
The statement shares our analysis and research regarding the children and families that have fled Central American violence to the United States. Read More
Statement for the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest on “Oversight of the Administration’s FY 2017 Refugee Resettlement Program”
The statement emphasizes the important role that the United States has played in the past in protecting the world's most vulnerable people and why we need to continue to welcome those fleeing dire situations and not deny them entry. Read More
Statement for the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest on “Oversight of the Administration’s FY 2016 Refugee Resettlement Program: Fiscal and Security Implications”
The statement discusses the rigorous 13-step screening process that an individual must undergo before entering the United States as a refugee and explains the current response to the Syrian refugee crisis and how the Obama administration can better address the rising numbers of Syrian refugees by increasing the number of refugees that the United States resettles in the next fiscal year. Read More
Statement for the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on “The Impact of ISIS on the Homeland and Refugee Resettlement”
The statement explains in detail the 13- step screening process that refugees must clear in order to be granted refugee status in the U.S. and what the steps are once an individual is granted refugee status. Read More
Federal Court Orders Timely Bond Hearings and Legal Protections for Asylum Seekers
In a groundbreaking decision, a federal judge in Seattle dealt a blow to the government’s campaign to deter and obstruct asylum seekers applying for protection in the United States. Judge Marsha Pechman ordered the government to provide certain individuals with bona fide asylum claims either a bond hearing before an immigration judge within seven days of their request or to release them from detention. Read More
Complaint Brings Injustice in El Paso Immigration Court to Light
The complaint demands an immediate investigation into systemic due process concerns at the El Paso Service Processing Center (SPC) immigration court in El Paso, Texas. Read More
Las Vegas Sun Letter: Help Dreamers help Nevada
Recently, House Democrats introduced a bill to protect Dreamers — young immigrants who, like me, came to this country as children and want nothing more than the chance to live and work without fear of deportation. Like 13,000 other Nevadans, I have been on a roller coaster of fear and… Read More
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