State and local officials from all 50 states signed a letter to President Joe Biden asking for continued support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The letter states that the "majority of Americans across the country and across party lines support refugee resettlement."
Fairhope City Councilman Corey Martin and State Reps. Travis Hendrix (D-Fairfield) and Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville) were among the 477 officials who signed the letter by the Welcoming Refugees campaign.
Welcoming Refugees believes that refugees bring immense contributions to communities and to the economy and the group wants to offer goodwill to those seeking safety. However, the campaign stated that the federal program needs more federal funding to help local governments provide improved services and support for refugees.
In the letter, the signees express support for resettling refugees in the midst of "a forced migration crisis of historic proportions." They claim they have heard from locals who want refugees in their communities.
"We continually hear from our constituents that they believe in and support refugee resettlement," the letter states. "From greeting refugee families at the airport to assisting with English language classes or navigating bus lines, our communities stand for welcome."
"As state and local elected leaders, we aspire to make our communities places where newcomers have an equal chance to contribute and thrive," the letter continues. "We have championed policies such as workforce development studies and reducing unnecessary occupational barriers so that skilled refugees can more easily join the workforce."
The signees committed to investing in refugee resettlement infrastructure and services.
"We are better and stronger because of refugees and their families," the letter says. "As state and local elected officials, we call on you to protect our nation's standing as a leader in welcoming refugees by ensuring the refugee resettlement program is resourced, robust, and sustainable for years to come."
It adds, "We hope that you will consider our strong desire to welcome refugees as you make your determination. "
Governor Kay Ivey's office has already expressed concerns over the Biden administration's immigration policies and lack of communication with states.
"Our Office has received zero facts or communication from the federal government on any situation in Sylacauga or any recent immigrant issues, for that matter," said Gov. Kay Ivey communications director Gina Maiola earlier this month. "I am also not aware of any specific communication from our staff to local officials on this issue."
"Separately though, Alabamians and Americans all over the country are rightfully concerned over the current Biden-Harris pro-illegal immigration policies," she continued. "No doubt this is a contributing factor to the concerns of people in Sylacauga and other areas."
"People are on high alert," Maiola said. "Governor Ivey will continue taking action to enforce the law, doing everything in Alabama's authority to secure the U.S. Southern Border and protecting our citizens from the harmful effects of illegal immigration, and as she has said before, this November election is more important than ever."
Letter as follows:
President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500Dear Mr. President:
As elected leaders of our communities at all levels of state and local government, we write today to express our strong support for welcoming and resettling refugees in the United States. We commend efforts to rebuild the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) over the last four years, and we call on your Administration to take steps to preserve and strengthen this progress and ensure the program remains robust, nimble, and sustainable for years to come.
Representing elected officials from both sides of the aisle, we affirm our commitment to safeguarding USRAP and American values of welcoming people seeking safety. USRAP was formally established by Congress in 1980, enjoying broad bipartisan support. Over the years, the program has welcomed people facing persecution because of their political opinions, religious beliefs, race, or nationality who now enjoy and uphold the freedoms we hold dear in this country.
As our experience with welcoming Afghans and Ukrainians has shown, U.S. leadership on protecting refugees not only provides a lifeline for those fleeing war, violence, and persecution, but also creates goodwill among partner nations, advancing our foreign policy, diplomatic, and national security interests. At the local level, we have seen firsthand how refugees enrich our communities – strengthening our economies and civic institutions. Refugees also bring immense contributions to our economies. According to a recent Health and Human Services report, refugees and asylees contributed a $124 billion net positive fiscal impact to our economy. Our communities have benefited directly from their contributions: refugees establish businesses, fill labor shortages, and enrich our cultural and social fabric, ensuring our states – and country – remain economically and socially vibrant.
The international community faces a forced migration crisis of historic proportions. We must offer bold leadership and innovative solutions and join other nations by doing our part. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently reported that an unprecedented 110 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, 40 percent of whom are children. Among them, UNHCR estimates that 2.4 million refugees need urgent access to resettlement this year, but less than one percent are afforded this chance.
We continually hear from our constituents that they believe in and support refugee resettlement. From greeting refugee families at the airport to assisting with English language classes or navigating bus lines, our communities stand for welcome.
As state and local elected leaders, we aspire to make our communities places where newcomers have an equal chance to contribute and thrive. We have championed policies such as workforce development studies and reducing unnecessary occupational barriers so that skilled refugees can more easily join the workforce. As many communities struggle with labor shortages in key professions like teachers, nurses, and doctors, refugees have a critical role to play in filling staffing gaps.
Together, we can and must do more. With greater federal support, our communities stand ready to welcome refugees who want to restart their lives in safety. Safeguarding USRAP requires a multi-year commitment to invest in the refugee resettlement infrastructure to ensure the program remains sustainable for years to come. Our cities and states need greater coordination and support from the federal government so that newcomers have access to programs and services that help them succeed in their new homes. We are calling on your administration to double down on the investment of resources necessary to build a robust resettlement program that can withstand external pressures, refugee emergencies, and political transitions.
We are better and stronger because of refugees and their families. As state and local elected officials, we call on you to protect our nation’s standing as a leader in welcoming refugees by ensuring the refugee resettlement program is resourced, robust, and sustainable for years to come.
We hope that you will consider our strong desire to welcome refugees as you make your determination.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
