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Dear Neighbor,
The Statue of Liberty declares, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Yet, despite record-breaking numbers of forcibly displaced people around the globe, the Trump administration has drastically cut refugee assistance and refugee admissions to the United States.
Last year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced an unprecedented refugee cap of 30,000 refugee admissions. This means that only 30,000 of the 70 million people displaced in 2018 will be allowed entry and resettlement into the United States. Additionally, the admissions cap for the previous year was set at 45,000, yet only half that number of refugees were actually resettled in the U.S. This is not who we are as a country.
Since 1980, the U.S. has had an average annual goal of 95,000 refugee admissions. The Trump administration’s continual actions to severely limit refugee resettlement ignores one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time. This admissions cap is dangerous and un-American, and we cannot allow it to stand.
As a descendant of Irish immigrants, I firmly believe that America’s doors must remain open to those fleeing injury, violence, or persecution. That’s why this week, on World Refugee Day, I led more than 70 members of Congress in reintroducing the Lady Liberty Act. Our legislation would reverse the Trump administration’s outrageous refugee cap by requiring the President to set a goal of admitting no fewer than 110,000 refugees each year.
Against a record high global refugee crisis, the Trump administration’s refugee admissions cap is dangerous and un-American. The Lady Liberty Act will reverse this callous backslide and restore America’s leadership role in refugee resettlement.
No one chooses to be a refugee. We have a moral responsibility to stand up to the President and help the millions of people fleeing injury, violence, and persecution.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Washington, DC Office
2238 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1492
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Annandale Office
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Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: (703) 256-3071
Fax: (703) 354-1284
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Prince William Office
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Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (571) 408-4407
Fax: (571) 408-4708
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