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Action Alerts
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Tell Your Local, State, and National Leaders to Welcome Refugees
Background: Right now, as we prepare for President-elect Donald Trump to take office in January, it is more important than ever for all of our elected officials to hear that their communities welcome refugees. Refugee resettlement saves lives, encourages other countries to keep their doors open to people needing protection, and promotes regional stability and global security. We cannot turn our backs on the refugees we have pledged to welcome. Nor can we discriminate against individuals based on where they’re from or what religion they practice. Refugee resettlement must continue to be a cornerstone of U.S. global leadership.
More than 65 million people have been persecuted and forced from their homes and are seeking safety. As a nation, we must uphold our values of generosity, hospitality and compassion. Our actions must match gravity of this displacement crisis and live up to our welcoming legacy. Please spread the word and have everyone you know share this alert!
Call your Senators and Representatives: 1-866-940-2439
Tell Them Your Community Welcomes Refugees
Please call the same number three times to be connected with your Representative and both of your Senators.
Here’s a sample of what to say: “I am a constituent from [CITY, STATE], and I urge you to welcome refugees and support the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Resettlement is a core American legacy that extends hospitality and offers a chance for refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. My community welcomes refugees and I urge you to reflect the best of our nation by supporting refugee resettlement in the United States.”
Feel free to share a personal story about the importance of refugees to you, your faith, your community, your business, etc. Let them know the specific ways that refugees benefit and are welcomed into your community, and why refugee protection is so important to you.
You can also tweet your policy makers: “.@SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE, my community stands #WithRefugees! Show that #AmericaWelcomes by supporting U.S. refugee resettlement! #RefugeesWelcome”
Share This Message with Your State and Local Officials!
Your state and local leaders need to hear the same message. Tell them that your community welcomes refugees. To find your governor, state legislators, mayor, and local officials, click here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. To tweet your state and local officials, click to find the twitter handles for your governor and state legislators.
It is more important than ever for all our nation’s lawmakers to represent the hospitality that communities across the country are demonstrating. Take action today to stand with refugees.
For more tips on how to make your voice heard with Members of Congress, click here: https://twitter.com/i/moments/798297193559904258
Please spread the word and send this alert to your networks! Follow @RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like” Refugee Council USA on Facebook for up-to-date alerts.
Statements
Religious Leader Letter, Urging Congress to Welcome Refugees of All Faiths
National Religious Leaders from Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Jewish and Muslim traditions statements urging Congress to reject any and all legislation that would stop or pause the resettlement of Syrian refugees, or that would restrict Muslim refugees from accessing resettlement.
United States Conference of Mayors; Letter to Members of Congress Urging Refugee Resettlement
News Articles
State by state listing of media stories can be found here.
Lawfare; In Defense of Refugees by Benjamin Wittes, Co-chair of the Hoover Institution’s Working Group on National Security, Technology, and Law
Medium; Grief, Solidarity, and Hope in the wake of Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad, Shoulder-2-Shoulder Campaign
Wall Street Journal, Mistrusting Obama on ISIS – and Refugees by Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff
Wall Street Journal; The Case for Accepting Syrian Refugees by Ambassador Ryan Crocker
Additional Resources
Refugee Legislation (Introduced in the 115th Congress)
Recent Syrian Refugee Legislation
Christian Reformed Church in North America; Prayers for Paris, and Beirut, and Baghdad
Testimony of General Jack Keane, former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
ReThink Media; Latest Updates and Resources Following the Paris Attacks 11/13
