Press Statements
Refugee Congress Calls for Refugee Resettlement Admissions to Be Set Without Delay
Sept. 10, 2020
Refugee Congress is deeply concerned about reports that the Trump Administration is considering postponing refugee admissions in the coming fiscal year.
Refugee Congress Condemns Proposed New Rule Blocking Asylum-Seekers
July 10, 2020
Refugee Congress condemns the Trump Administration’s newest attack on asylum-seeking protections — a proposed rule that would redefine who is eligible for humanitarian protection and bar people with well-founded fears of persecution from seeking asylum.
Refugee Congress Statement for Pride Month
June 30, 2020
As Pride Month draws to a close, Refugee Congress celebrates the life, dignity and resilience of LGBTQ+ refugees, asylum seekers/asylees and other vulnerable migrants.
Refugee Congress Condemns New Rule That Limits Asylum-Seekers’ Work Authorization
June 24, 2020
Refugee Congress condemns a new rule announced by the Trump Administration that delays and bans asylum-seekers’ ability to obtain employment authorization.
Refugee Congress Commemorates World Refugee Day 2020
June 20, 2020
This year’s World Refugee Day comes at an unprecedented and pivotal time in the U.S. and across the globe.
As in past years, Refugee Congress takes this day to celebrate the presence and contributions of refugees in our communities. Along with refugees and refugee resettlement organizations around the world, we are organizing events honoring the contributions and resilience of refugees.
Refugee Congress Statement in Celebration & Recognition of Juneteenth
June 19, 2020
Refugee Congress stands in solidarity with Black American communities in celebrating Juneteenth — the day when thousands of enslaved peoples in Galveston Texas were finally informed of their freedom, a full two and half years after the Emancipation Proclamation declared that “all persons held as slaves…are and henceforward shall be free.”
Refugee Congress Applauds the Supreme Court Decision on DACA
June 18, 2020
Refugee Congress applauds the Supreme Court opinion issued today, preventing the Trump Administration from terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that gives qualified protection to “Dreamers” and calls on Congress to make protections permanent.
Statement on the Killing of George Floyd
June 3, 2020
Like many across the nation and around the world, we at Refugee Congress are heartbroken and outraged by the preventable and tragic death of George Floyd.
Refugee Congress Commemorates International Workers Day
May 1, 2020
Refugee Congress commemorates International Workers Day and recognizes the importance of the labors of refugee and immigrant workers, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Refugee Congress Condemns New Immigration Executive Order
April 24, 2020
Refugee Congress strongly condemns the president’s new Executive Order that bans entry for many immigrants for at least the next 60 days.
Refugee Congress Statement on COVID-19 Pandemic
March 23, 2020
During this unprecedented public health crisis, Refugee Congress calls on communities to come together to support one another and to ensure that we all — including refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants — have access to safe environments, supplies and medical care.
Refuge Congress Urges Members of Congress to Support the NO BAN Act
March 11, 2020
As the only national organization built and led by refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants, Refugee Congress strongly urges the Members of Congress to pass the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act (NO BAN Act) (H.R. 2214), which is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives tomorrow.
Refugee Congress Delegate Speaks at Congressional Hearing on the U.S. Refugee Program
Feb. 28, 2020
Yesterday the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee held a hearing on the current state of the U.S. refugee program.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Congress Holds Hearing on Refugee Program TODAY
Feb. 27, 2020
Today the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee will hold its first hearing on the state of the U.S. refugee program in more than two-and-a-half years.
Refugee Congress Recognizes Anniversary of USCIS Mission Statement Change
Feb. 22, 2020
Two years ago, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) changed its mission statement to remove a passage identifying the U.S. as a “nation of immigrants.” On this anniversary, Refugee Congress recognizes this country’s long tradition as a nation of immigrants and will continue to amplify the important role immigrants have played and continue to play in building vibrant, thriving and engaged communities.
Refugee Congress Condemns Expansion of the “Travel” Ban
Feb. 3, 2020
Refugee Congress condemns the Administration’s expanded “Travel” Ban, Presidential Proclamation Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry, as discriminatory and damaging to our communities across the country and to our national identity as a welcoming nation.
Refugee Congress Commemorates Anniversary of the First Muslim and Refugee Ban
Jan. 27, 2020
Refugee Congress commemorates this week as the third anniversary of the first refugee and Muslim bans, the anniversary of accelerated actions putting asylum-seekers at risk and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Jan. 15, 2020
The U.S. District Court in Maryland issued an injunction today, blocking the implementation of the Administration’s Executive Order 13888, which would allow states and localities to block refugee resettlement in their communities.
Message to Governor Abbott from Refugee Congress Delegate in Texas
Jan. 15, 2020
Hadidja Nyiransekuye is the Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate in Texas. Originally an asylum-seeker from Rwanda, she now lives in Fort Worth.
“When Governor Abbott announced his decision to stop refugee resettlement in Texas, I was deeply disappointed, and also confused. There are so many localities in Texas that have indicated what I know to be true from my own experience: Texans welcome refugees!”
Refugee Congress Condemns Texas Governor’s Decision to End Refugee Resettlement
Jan. 11, 2020
As an organization built and led by resettled refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants, we are devastated by Governor Abbott’s shortsighted and cruel decision not to continue refugee resettlement in Texas, contrary to the declarations of support from several major cities including San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.
REFUGEE CONGRESS STRONGLY SUPPORTS REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT OF 2019
Nov. 21, 2019
The Refugee Protection Act of 2019 was introduced at a news conference earlier today. Refugee Congress strongly supports this legislation and urges all members of Congress to cosponsor the bill.
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