Urge Congress to Refuse the Administration’s Refugee Admissions Goal of 30,000—& Instead Seek 75,000!!
On Monday night, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
announced
the administration's intent to set a refugee admissions goal for fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1st, of 30,000. This number represents the lowest level by far in U.S. history; and is
LESS THAN ONE THIRD
of the number of
refugees resettled on average
each year by the U.S. & our churches for decades!
The announcement came at a time when there are nearly 3 million more refugees in the world this year than in 2016--making more than
25 million refugees worldwide
. It came at the end of a year when the government had already set a historic low from last year of 45,000 refugees; and yet has allowed
less than 21,000
to actually enter.
But refugees are more than just a statistic.
They represent families torn apart. More than half
are children
who have experienced horrific violence. They are all seeking a chance to rebuild their lives. Resettling refugees allows us to fulfill our
faith calling
to welcome the stranger. And it encourages our international partners--including our
global ministry partners
--who are often shouldering millions of refugees within their bounds.
Rev. Terri Hord Owens
, GMP for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) joined other faith partners in
responding
. She made this
video
, and also said:
“Our nation should be resettling at least 75,000 refugees....God’s mandate to love the vulnerable and sojourners was repetitive, and Jesus’ own experience fleeing violence and danger made possible a world transformed by grace and compassion. Our congregations, and refugees themselves, remain ready for healing and welcome today—and we will not stay silent if our nation squelches our value of hospitality or denies our opportunity to lead the world in resettlement.”
What Top 5 Things Can We ALL Do to Respond?
1) Add your video to Rev. Terri's to encourage 75,000 refugees be resettled!
Share your personal story & prayer for refugees in a 90 second video, and urge Congress to re-settle at least 75,000 refugees in FY2018! See examples from other Disciples Regional Ministers, Pastors, and Church Members
here
. Be sure to tag #Pray4Refugees and #Welcome75k, and send to
Refugee & Immigration Ministries
,
Week of Compassion
, and
Disciples News
so we can post and help you share!
2) Urge conversations between the Administration & Congress before any number is finalized!
It is a requirement for the Administration to consult with Congress--especially with House & Senate Judiciary Committees--
before finalizing a refugee resettlement goal. But this has not yet happened!
Chair Chuck Grassley,
Dianne Feinstein, and leaders from all viewpoints
together
are urging this process to occur immediately!
3) Call your Congressional leaders TODAY to urge your support for 75,000, and share your stories of love and support for refugees!
Communicate your faith value of welcome!
Click here
to be connected to your 2 Senators and 1 Representative, and see a sample call script
here
.
4) Tweet at your Senators & Representatives to share your love for refugees through your messages and videos!
Find
sample tweets
here
. Find Twitter handles for crucial Judiciary Committee members
here
, and find for all other leaders
here
. (We may not use Twitter so much in church circles--but legislators follow these messages constantly, it's a good way to ensure our voices are really heard!!)
5)
Host a Prayer Vigil or Press Conference in Your Community:
Invite refugee leaders to tell their stories, together with faith leaders, business leaders & elected officials. Invite the media to show a strong message of support to welcome refugees.
Click
here
for our interfaith #Welcome75k Toolkit which has sample media advisories and steps to host a public witness event. Find worship resources, images for signs, & refugee stories
here
--and listen to the Disciples
videos
about refugees for further inspiration!
Please call Sharon at our Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries office:
202-957-7826, and let us know how we can best support your work of justice & love!
