CCUSA opposes action to decrease number of refugees, families seeking resettlement

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) strongly opposes the administration’s action to decrease the number of refugees welcomed into the United States to no more than 15,000; a new record low since the program began in 1980.

“We call upon the administration to consider the refugee resettlement program’s humanitarian mission to protect those in need,” said Sister Donna Markham, OP, PhD, president and CEO of CCUSA. “The individuals and families who apply for this program aren’t doing so by choice. They have been forced to flee their homeland to avoid persecution, threats of violence, and death. These are real people with real stories of sacrifice and struggle many of us cannot begin to comprehend. They aren’t looking for a handout, rather they enhance our economy, culture, and communities every day.”

The refugee resettlement program is a humanitarian program whose mission is to protect individuals and families who are forced to flee their homeland due to violence, ethnic, political and religious persecution.  The program should return to consistent refugee numbers rather than focus primarily on its use for politically partisan purposes.

Catholic Charities has more than 110 years of experience serving refugees and showing that our nation can be secure and compassionate in responding to vulnerable people. CCUSA and the entire Catholic Charities ministry stands ready to continue our longstanding partnership with the U.S. government’s humanitarian refugee resettlement efforts.