Please see the resources below for information on national Action Alerts and recently introduced legislation, including bill sponsors and summary information.
For state-by-state action alerts, please click here.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Protect Refugee Resettlement and Oppose the Ban
On January 27, 2017 the Trump Administration released Executive Orders banning individuals from seven (then six) Muslim-majority countries and all refugees from entering the country. Thousands took to the streets and flooded airports where people from Muslim-majority countries and refugees were being detained and, in many cases, sent back. Since that time, the administration has issued multiple additional bans on people from Muslim-majority countries and has taken steps to dismantle the U.S. refugee program. Anti-Muslim and nationalistic rhetoric have had real consequences, leading to increased hate crimes and local and state policies targeting these communities.
Now, a year later, we’re in a critical moment. After the courts repeatedly blocked various versions of these bans, parts of both the most recent Muslim ban and refugee ban are being implemented. We must keep up the public pressure and media coverage to stop the Muslim and refugee bans now. January 27th is a critical date, as people and policy makers across the country remember the actions they took that day and can be challenged to recommit to solidarity with Muslims, refugee, and all people targeted by this administration.
Join us in urging Congress and the Administration to protect refugee resettlement.
CALL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TODAY!
Your Senators and Representatives: (866) 961-4293*
*Please call this line 3 times to be connected with your 1 Representative and 2 Senators
Sample Script: “I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. I strongly oppose President Trump’s continued Muslim and refugee bans, as well as the all-time low cap on refugee admissions. I urge you to do everything in your power to see that the administration resettle at least the 45,000 refugees they have set as the cap for 2018. I call on you to protect the U.S. refugee resettlement program and stand against the Muslim and refugee bans.”
Ask community members and allies to call local and national legislators and demand that they denounce the Muslim and refugee bans. Find your elected official here and sample action alerts at greateras1.org/act, rcusa.org/advocate-now and interfaithimmigration.org/recent-legislation. You can also tweet @ your Senators/Representatives with the same message!
Our No Muslim Ban, No Refugee Ban Week of Action Toolkit is available here: https://greateras1.org/no-muslim-ban-no-refugee-ban-week-action-toolkit/. Here some of the key ways to participate in the week of action from January 27th through February 3rd:
- Join the We Are All America Campaign: We Are All America is a coalition of immigrants’ and refugee rights groups working to uphold and strengthen our nation’s commitment to welcome and protect those seeking freedom, safety, and refuge in the United States. The We Are All America campaign officially launches January 27, 2018. For social media graphics, please click here. Find out more at www.weareallusa.org.
- Send a postcard to your member of Congress: Sign this electronic postcard, or print off hard copies and have people sign them at an event. If you’d like to modify the postcard (add a logo, etc.) please click here. (Note: You will have to create a free Canva account to do so). Encourage your friends, family, coworkers, and social media networks to sign and spread the word.
- Hold a public event like this #WhereRtheRefugees Interfaith Vigil in Texas to lift up impacted refugee community members and push back on the latest refugee ban. Don’t forget to put your event on the map & find an event near you at www.nomuslimbanever.com and www.weareallusa.org/events.
- Call Congress & ask others to do the same: Click here for an alert to call your one Representative and two Senators. Or call 1-866-961-4293 three times.
- Amplify your message through social media: Post on Facebook and Twitter using #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome #NoBanNoWallNoRaids #WeAreAllAmerica #WhereRTheRefugees #GreaterAs1. See this No Muslim Ban Messaging Guide, information on refugee admissions, and resources on engaging local media outlets.
Other National Action Alerts:
- Click Here to Urge Congress to Keep Families Together and Protect Dreamers
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Oppose Anti-Immigrant Bills, Protect Dreamers, and Uphold Family Unity
- Click Here and Here to Tell Congress to Keep our Promise to Protect Kids and Reunite Families
- Click Here and Here to Urge Congress and DHS to Protect Haitians
- Click Here and Here to Tell Congress to Enact the Dream Act of 2017 and Protect Immigrant Youth!
- Click Here and Here to Tell Congress and the White House that you OPPOSE Pres. Trump’s Latest Refugee Ban
- Click Here to Tell House Judiciary Committee Members to Affirm the Refugee Resettlement Program & Support a Robust Refugee Admissions Goal!
- Click Here to Urge Congress to Support TPS Holders and #SaveTPS!
- Click Here to Stop Trump from Dismantling Refugee Resettlement
- Click Here to Tell Your Representative that the DREAM Act Deserves a Vote!
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Cut Funds for Deportation, Detention, & Border Militarization and Protect Immigrant Youth
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Stand Up for Refugee Resettlement
- Click Here to Tell the White House & Congress that You OPPOSE Terminating DACA!
- Click Here to Urge Congress and the Administration to Stand With Our Immigrant Neighbors, Extend Temporary Protected Status, and Support Dreamers
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Stop the RAISE Act from Separating Families & Reducing Refugee Resettlement
- Click Here to Tell Your State to Stand with Immigrant Youth
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Stand Up for Refugee Protection & Resettlement and Reduce Funding for Immigration Detention, Deportation & Border Militarization
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Stop the Administration from Implementing Refugee and Muslim Ban
- Click Here to Protect Medicaid
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Reject Legislation that Targets Our Immigrant Neighbors
- Click Here and Here to Protect Refugees and Children
- Click Here to Join the Stand With Refugees Campaign
- Click Here to Protect Funding for Refugee Assistance & Resettlement and Reduce Funding for Immigration Detention, Deportation & Border Militarization
- Click Here to Tell House Judiciary Committee Members to Reject Anti-Immigrant Agenda and Oppose H.R. 2431, H.R. 2406, and H.R. 2407
- Click Here to Tell Your State to Welcome Refugees and Withdraw Support for Refugee Ban
- Click Here and Here to Urge DHS and Congress to Protect Haitians
- Click Here to Stop DHS From Deporting Somalis
- Click Here to Tell Congress to Oppose Funding for Trump’s Wall, Deportation Force & Detention Centers
- Click Here to Tell Your Local, State, and National Leaders to Welcome Refugees
- Click Here to Tell the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Customs Enforcement
to Stop ICE Raids and Respect Places of Worship - Click Here to Tell the White House & Congress that you OPPOSE Trump’s Decision to Detain Families, Turn Away Asylum Seekers, and Force Local Police to Serve as Immigration Agents
- Click Here to Tell the White House & Congress that you OPPOSE Trump’s Announcement to Grind Refugee Resettlement To a Halt & Bar Refugees from Certain Countries
- Click Here to Tell the White House & Congress that you OPPOSE Trump Administration’s Raids Tearing Families & Communities Apart
National Action Alert:
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: 1-202-224-3121
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.
