World Refugee Day again

Have you ever wondered what a “refugee” is, as distinct from an “immigrant”? “Refugees” are persons fleeing persecution, war, or violence in their home country. It is a difficult and excruciating choice to leave one’s homeland and most refugees tend to settle in countries that border their own, with the hope of returning when the danger has passed. That is why – as much as we have been led to imagine that the US is bearing a tremendous load of refugees – it is actually countries like Uganda and Lebanon that see the greatest influx of people fleeing violence and chaos. For example, the U.S. has settled about 3 million refugees since 1980. If we hosted refugees in the same proportion as Uganda, that number would be closer to 8.5 million. 

Last December, the United Nations General Assembly affirmed the Global Compact on Refugees, after two years of extensive consultations led by UNHCR with Member States, international organizations, refugees, civil society, the private sector, and experts. The Global Compact on Refugees is a framework for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation.

Its four key objectives are to:

• Ease the pressures on host countries;
• Enhance refugee self-reliance;
• Expand access to third-country solutions;
• Support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.

During the 220^th General Assembly (2012), the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed a resolution advocating for comprehensive immigration reform intended to show the church’s solidarity with immigrants and refugees in the United States. The Assembly’s vision of U.S. immigration policy is one that emphasizes the important of family unity by avoiding the separation of families. We continue to work towards this objective by observing World Refugee Day and advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants. To be part of this work, here are four things you can do this week:

1. Share a Message on Social Media: Whether you are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked-In, or some other form of social media, you can raise awareness of others by posting simply, fact-based information about Refugees, justice, or specific legislations. Sample tweets available here. Sample graphics are available here: bit.ly/WRDGraphics2019. Follow @RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like"Refugee Council USA on Facebook for more. If you post something, tag #WRD2019 in all of your postings so that others who are looking to connect over these issues will see it.

2. Attend the World Refugee Day Event at Temple Bat Yahm on Sunday, June 30, from 3:30 – 5:30pm. St. Mark is a sponsor and I hope to see many of you there. You can sign up for free tickets here.  

3.  Call on Senators to Protect Immigrant Children and Asylum Seekers by opposing the “Secure and Protect Act of 2019”: Senate billS.1494, the so-called “Secure and Protect Act of 2019,” would eliminate protections for children and victims of human trafficking, dismantle the U.S. asylum system, and further reduce refugee admissions.For a Sample script and click-to-call tool, click here. 

4. Support Local Refugees Welcome Resolutions: Ask your state & local policymakers to pass Refugees Welcome resolutions before the month is up. Click here for a sample resolution. Visit contactingcongress.org/local and usa.gov/elected-officials for contact information. Tweet at your governor and state legislators. Don’t forget to use the tag #WRD2019!

As we face refugee crises throughout the world, the Presbyterian Church (USA) believes Presbyterians have a moral obligation to advocate for the entry and integration of the refugees in the United States, and to resist anti-refugee actions and policies. I hope you do too.