Tell House Leadership to STOP Bill that Severely Restricts Protections for Refugees and Others Fleeing Persecution
Background: In May, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 5203, the “Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016.” This bill would significantly delay or stop altogether family reunification; create new procedures to prevent visa applications from being approved until the review of individuals’ internet postings; require all family member petitions to include expensive DNA testing; and exacerbate already lengthy visa delays by mandating in-person interviews for all immigration applications, including for refugees renewing their green cards. This bill would create insurmountable burdens for refugees to apply for admission to the United States, and would impose discriminatory hurdles on refugees and other immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen.
It is critical that House leadership hears from us NOW as they make decisions about this legislation that would jeopardize the lives of refugees, asylees, and immigrants around the world and significantly impair U.S. refugee resettlement and asylum programs.
Call House Leadership TODAY
Tell them not to bring H.R. 5203 to a vote!
- Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1): (202) 225-0600 / @SpeakerRyan
- Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23): 202-225-4000 / @GOPLeader
- Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA-1): (202) 225-0197 / @SteveScalise
- Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5): (202) 225-5107 / @housegop
- Policy Committee Chair Luke Messer (R-IN-6): (202) 225-3021 / @RepLukeMesser
Ex: “I support refugees and others fleeing violence and persecution, and I urge the Representative to REJECT H.R. 5203, the “Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016” that is being considered by the House of Representatives. H.R. 5203 would jeopardize the lives of refugees, asylees, and immigrants around the world and significantly impair U.S. refugee resettlement and asylum programs. It would significantly delay family reunification or permanently separate families forever, and undermine U.S. leadership to protect the most vulnerable. This bill runs counter to our values as Americans and does not represent the welcoming communities around the country. Please oppose H.R. 5203.”
You can also tweet your Members of Congress and your network: .@REPRESENTATIVE, Our community welcomes #refugees & #immigrants. OPPOSE H.R. 5203, the so-called “Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016”
Click here to download this action alert to share and adapt for your networks! Follow @RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like” Refugee Council USA on Facebook for up-to-date alerts. Please spread the word and urge others to call as well. Go to www.rcusa.org for helpful resources. Thank you again!
