As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we have helped welcome tens of thousands of refugees since the end of World War II.

In this time, our heritage of welcoming refugees is at great risk, and exactly at the time when there are more than two million more refugees in the world than ever before—as the administration is trying to further dismantle the refugee resettlement program by setting the refugee admissions goal at a drastic new low of 25,000 for fiscal year 2019.

This reduction would follow this year’s already historically low goal of 45,000. And, it would happen as less than 20,000 refugees have been resettled so far as we approach the end of this fiscal year (on September 30 ^th ). The likelihood is also that, if next year’s goal is set even lower, actual admissions will continue to drop.

Tens of thousands of lives hang in the balance. Refugee resettlement saves lives, encourages other countries to keep their doors open to people needing protection, and promotes regional stability and global security.

With over 28.5 million refugees in the world, we are experiencing the worst global refugee crisis in history. As people who care about refugees, we must make sure that our Members of Congress do everything they can to see the administration commit to resettling at least 75,000 refugees next year.

Please CALL and PRAY especially throughout this week and next week, in the lead up to the President and Congress determining their goal number for refugees to be resettle in the next fiscal year (beginning Oct. 1st). Visit the Disciples' Refugee and Immigration website for stories of refugees and immigrants , and prayers and worship resources.

PLEASE CALL YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS to share your deep concern for maintaining our U.S. heritage of welcoming refugees!! ALL leaders need to hear from their constituents around the country (and especially when they are home this final week of August! And most especially, House and Senate Judiciary Committee members need to hear this to make sure they're using their leadership to be in conversation with the administration about next year’s refugee resettlement numbers.

 

CALL YOUR SENATORS & REPRESENTATIVES TODAY : Call 1-866-961-4293*  *Please call 3 times to connect with your Representative and both of your Senators

You can go to: usa.gov/elected-officials to locate your own officials, if needed.

Sample Script : “I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and I urge you to support the U.S. refugee resettlement program. I strongly oppose President Trump’s continued Muslim and refugee bans, as well as the all-time low cap on refugee admissions. I urge you to do everything in your power to see that the administration resettle at least the 45,000 refugees they have set as the goal for 2018 and see the administration commit to resettling at least 75,000 for 2019. Resettlement is a core American legacy that allows refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. I also call on you to do everything in your power to end family incarceration and family separation, and ensure immediate family reunification. Please reduce funding for the mass immigration detention, deportation, and border militarization that harms asylum seekers and prevents vulnerable populations from seeking protection in the U.S. My community welcomes refugees and immigrants, and I urge you to do the same.”

You can also tweet at your Senators & Representatives:

Thank you for helping protect the lives of refugees & immigrants. the lives of those in our community.

Sincerely, Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries