FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2021

WASHINGTON–Refugee Congress applauds President Biden’s executive order to restore and enhance the refugee resettlement program and his announcement of plans to set the refugee admissions goal at 125,000, which he has indicated would happen in Fiscal Year 2022 after consultations with Congress in the fall.

“Refugee Congress applauds the current administration for taking strides towards restoring the soul of our nation,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors. “As a former refugee and someone who has helped to resettle families in Delaware, I couldn’t be prouder to see the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program operating at capacity again. I’ve witnessed and heard of disappointments from families yearning for safety, and from agencies and communities waiting to welcome with open arms. I am also proud to have worked alongside countless partners who have been relentless in our strive towards restoration. Today, we can all celebrate in solidarity.”

Since inauguration, President Biden has issued executive orders that have reversed some of the most destructive of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. The Trump Administration sought to dismantle and destroy the refugee resettlement program by setting a historical low record admission goal of just 15,000 refugees for the 2020 Fiscal Year. The harmful and discriminatory policies set by the Trump administration toward the refugee resettlement and asylum systems have separated families, prevented those fleeing violence and persecution from accessing safety, and enforced dangerous sentiments of xenophobia in our nation.

In addition to the commitment to restore the refugee resettlement program, today’s executive order includes a review of the current Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program and consideration of a possible SIV program for individuals who serve the U.S. in other areas. It also calls for a report on climate change and its impact on migration.

“It gives us hope to see this administration declare its intent not only to restore and enhance refugee resettlement and access to asylum but also to restore the spirit of welcome that has long been a signature of the U.S.,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, National Director of Refugee Congress. “Our communities are made stronger and more successful because of the diversity, culture, talents, passion and generosity of refugees and asylees. This first step is a welcome one, and long overdue.”

As an organization built and led by former refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants, we know firsthand the ways that refugees strengthen our communities. Refugees make invaluable contributions to our nation as entrepreneurs and business owners; as chefs, delivery drivers, teachers, religious leaders, journalists, service workers, farmers and volunteers; and as community members, neighbors and friends. During this time of crisis, refugees have also been serving as doctors, nurses and other health providers on the frontlines against COVID-19.

The Biden Administration’s swift effort to restore our nation’s bipartisan welcoming spirit and respect the humanity of immigrants and refugees is only the beginning of the work needed to build back our resettlement programs and amplify the needs and voices of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Refugee Congress urges the Biden Administration to continue the work in restoring welcome for all refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants, and we hope there will be an increase in refugee resettlement admissions for Fiscal Year 2021. We must continue to uphold our nation’s global role as humanitarian leaders and shape global policies in moving towards protecting refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.

MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org

WASHINGTON–Yesterday the Biden administration signed three executive orders that begin the process of reversing the damage done by the previous administration to immigration and asylum protection systems in the U.S.

“We commend the president on taking these first steps towards keeping his promise to restore the U.S. to its place as a global humanitarian leader and a country of welcome, including the creation of a task force to reunite separated families,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Delegate for Delaware.

The executive actions include commitments to review and restore asylum protections, including beginning to reunite separated families, protect unaccompanied children and address the root causes of forced displacement from Central America. They also include a review of the inhumane Migration Protection Protocols, which forced asylum seekers back to Mexico, and a review of the immigration policies and regulations, including the cruel “public charge” rule.

“This is the first of many steps that will place us on the road back to providing safety and security for those who seek it, as well as undoing the increasingly harmful xenophobic narrative that has plagued our country in recent years,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, National Director of Refugee Congress.

Refugee Congress also applauds the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Latino, first immigrant and the child of a mother who escaped Nazi persecution to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.

As an organization built and led by refugees and asylum-seekers, Refugee Congress knows firsthand the importance of a humane protection system and policies that provide safety and welcome for those fleeing violence and persecution.

“I have hope that this new administration will respect and protect the rights of the immigrants, especially the rights of the immigrant children who had to flee their countries to escape unspeakable acts of violence. Let’s restore the dignity of those children in detention and eliminate the cruel Migrant Protection Policy, giving immigrants back the right to apply for asylum,” said Carmen Kcomt, Refugee Congress Delegate for California.

The steps taken by the Biden administration to date are important, but the work of rebuilding this system and instituting the protection needed is just the beginning. We urge the Biden administration to continue its work together with Congress to institute strong, permanent change to our refugee and asylum protection systems, including passing the Refugee Protection Act, and to work together with former refugees and asylum-seekers in creating these changes. Refugee Congress is dedicated to being a partner in this process. 

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.

MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org

Today Refugee Congress celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, MLK Day comes after the divide, unrest, racial injustice and pain this nation has endured over the past year.

Ninety-two years after Dr. King’s birth, we continue to be inspired by his life of service and commitment to equality and justice. As a civil rights leader, Dr. King’s vision to uplift our communities and move towards social and economic justice for all Americans resonates deeply with us and motivates our work in renewing our communities. 

In the words of Dr. King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” As former refugees and asylum-seekers, Refugee Congress Delegates and Honorary Delegates have fled injustice and violence. We know firsthand the importance of civil rights and the tragedies that ensue from injustice and inequity. We are profoundly indebted to Dr. King and his unwavering dedication in his fight for justice and work in shaping our nation as a place of sanctuary for refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants. 

Today and everyday, we pay tribute to Dr. King, and those who fought by his side for the rights of fairness and dignity living — regardless of race or socio-economic status. 

“Refugee Congress promises to continue our efforts in order to complete the work Dr. King started in building a better world where solidarity, equity, justice, interconnectedness and shared humanity are at the core,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Director. “ As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., recognized the power of service and community, we renew our commitment in making our communities a better place as we start the new year and encourage all to do the same.”

“The fight for justice and equality is everybody’s fight, and Refugee Congress is poised to lead by example. This is how we honor Dr. King’s legacy. This is how we create a more just and welcoming world.” – Nili Sarit Yossinger, National Director.

We honor and pledge to work with those who follow in Dr. King’s footsteps in continuing to do the work of creating a just and equitable nation for all Americans. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 7, 2021

WASHINGTON–Refugee Congress condemns the violent actions of the mob at the U.S. Capitol yesterday and calls for a peaceful transition of power to the Biden-Harris Administration.

As former refugees and asylum-seekers, Refugee Congress Delegates and Honorary Delegates have fled violence and know firsthand the tragedies and loss that come with anti-democratic violence. To many of us, yesterday was a sad reminder of the political unrest we experienced back home.

We look to the United States as a beacon of hope for democracy. The United States has a long history of honoring the will of voters and a smooth, peaceful transition of power, and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the coming weeks and years.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kacy Kostiuk, Communications Manager, (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org

Refugee Congress is delighted to announce our December Call for Nominations for New Delegates.

We are currently recruiting for the following states:

Arkansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, West Virginia, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin

At Refugee Congress, elected Delegates may serve up to two three-year terms, after which retiring members remain actively engaged as Honorary Delegates.

Find out more and nominate someone to serve as a Refugee Congress Delegate here. The deadline to nominate someone is January 10, 2021.

Refugee Congress aims to represent the diverse populations of refugees and asylees resettled in the U.S.  We seek a diversity of candidates in terms of race and ethnicity, age, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, as well as educational and professional backgrounds.

We welcome nominations from all backgrounds and especially encourage nominations for individuals from asylee and asylum-seeker communities, youth communities, members of LGBTQ communities and refugee leaders from countries and regions where we seek to increase representation, including Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar/Burma, Bhutan, former USSR, former Yugoslavia, Southeast Asia and Central America.

Thank you for helping us grow and strengthen our community!

WASHINGTON—Refugee Congress condemns a new asylum rule published by the Trump administration that would significantly restrict asylum eligibility and further eliminate opportunities for people seeking asylum to be granted protection from persecution.

The rule would limit what qualifies as persecution. It would exclude gender and gang violence as eligible claims and would require an asylum-seeker to prove a higher level of risk of harm if they return to their country of origin.

“We are outraged by this rule and the limits it places on protections for people seeking asylum,” said Nili Yossinger, Refugee Congress National Director. “This rule will make it harder for people fleeing violence and persecution to find safety and protection. The United States must remain a beacon of hope and place of refuge.”

Over the past four years, the Trump administration has taken steps that have resulted in significant reductions to the protections provided by the refugee resettlement and asylum programs. Refugee Congress condemns these acts and calls for the restoration of this country as a place of refuge and protection for those fleeing violence.

“These new asylum restrictions would further erode due process for individuals and families seeking protection,” said Dauda Sesay, Vice-Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Delegate for Louisiana. “For the past three years, this administration has instilled hardline immigration policies, including the Muslim ban, ending DACA, separating kids, slashing the refugee resettlement program to the lowest level ever and making it very hard for people seeking safety. This is cruel and doesn’t represent the American values. As someone who has experienced the terror of war and persecution, it is painful to see my new home country is denying safety to people seeking protection.”

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.  www.refugeecongress.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kacy Kostiuk, Communications Manager, (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 10, 2020

WASHINGTON–Today Refugee Congress marks Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The UDHR proclaims everyone’s inalienable rights as a human being, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

As former refugees and asylum-seekers, Refugee Congress Delegates and Honorary Delegates have fled persecution and violence. We know firsthand the importance of human rights and the tragedies that ensue when they are not recognized.

“On this important day, Refugee Congress reaffirms our commitment to working to ensure that the human rights of all are respected and uplifted,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Delegate for Delaware. “We promise to continue our work of building a better world where solidarity, equity, justice, interconnectedness and shared humanity are at the core.”

This year’s Human Rights Day theme calls for everyone to #StandforHumanRights. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many failures and systemic inequities and created new challenges to ensuring human rights are respected.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that we are all interconnected and interdependent. We must come together, embrace our communities and build a better future with human rights protections provided for all,” said Nili Yossinger, Refugee Congress National Director.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.  www.refugeecongress.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kacy Kostiuk, Communications Manager, (202) 905-6238, kacy.kostiuk@refugeecongress.org

Refugee Congress is very excited to welcome new Delegates to represent six states. We are pleased to introduce:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 9, 2020

WASHINGTON—Refugee Congress congratulates President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris.

“We are encouraged by President-Elect Biden’s stated commitment to welcome refugees and immigrants, restore the refugee resettlement program and provide asylum protections,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chairperson of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Delegate for Delaware. “We look forward to working with the new Administration to rebuild these critical programs and undo the harmful, anti-immigrant efforts we have seen unfold over the past four years.”

This election saw record-breaking voter turnout despite the challenges of voting during a pandemic, and the election of the nation’s first female, first Black and first South Asian vice-president-elect. Many former refugees, asylees and immigrants were active in voter education and registration efforts, and many former refugees and immigrants ran for elected positions across the country.

“We congratulate the former refugees and immigrants whose hard work helped ensure all community members had an opportunity to be a part of the democratic process,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, National Director of Refugee Congress. “Refugee Congress is committed to continuing to build active, engaged refugee and immigrant communities because we believe our nation is stronger when these voices are a part of the conversation.”

Refugee Congress looks forward to a peaceful transition of power and to continuing our work to welcome and provide protections for refugees, asylum-seekers and immigrants. The refugee crisis worldwide is at an all-time high, with 26 million refugees in need of aid while less than one percent are ever resettled, and it is critical that the new Administration take quick action upon taking office to ensure refugee, asylum and immigration protections are ensured.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.  www.refugeecongress.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kacy Kostiuk, Communications Manager, (202) 905-6238, kacy.kostiuk@refugeecongress.org