183 Organizations Send Letter to President Trump and Secretary Pompeo Asking to Restore the US Resettlement Program to its Historic Norms

15 September 2020

Washington, DC – Today, Mercy Corps joins 182 other organizations in sending a letter to President Trump and Secretary Pompeo, asking that they restore the US resettlement program to its historic norms by setting a Presidential Determination for fiscal year 2021 of a refugee resettlement goal of 95,000.

The U.S. refugee resettlement program is a vital, life-saving program that protects the most vulnerable refugees worldwide. This program is a humanitarian expression of our core American values, including religious freedom and democracy, and is a key tool in promoting global and economic stability.

COVID-19 has challenged every level of American society, and refugees have been essential in the fight against this pandemic. They have served as healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals and nursing homes and clinics.  They have also labored as farm workers, helping put food on our tables, and truck drivers and grocery store workers making sure the shelves are stocked.  Refugees across the United States are on the frontlines of helping the communities that welcomed them to overcome this virus.

You can find the full letter and list of all 183 signatories below.