The need for resettlement has never been greater. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that more than 82.4 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, 26.4 million of whom are registered as refugees. More than half of those registered are children. Recently, the Biden Administration announced that the refugee resettlement program would serve as a mechanism for providing safety to certain Afghans who supported U.S. operations and whose lives are now at risk.
Refugees need our help, and we need theirs. Refugees have invigorated our economies, brought innovation to our towns, and strengthened our communities through their contributions to our public life and cultural institutions. Most recently, refugees have been essential in the fight against COVID-19 in the United States.
Resettlement saves lives and paves the way for a brighter future for all of us. We must work together to welcome refugees! This nonpartisan, unbranded letter emphasizes how vital refugees are to the fabric of our communities in anticipation of the President’s annual decision on how many refugees the United States will resettle in the upcoming fiscal year.