Lindsey Horvath, Council Member, West Hollywood Brian Feldman, State Senator, Annapolis Sharon Meieran, County Commissioner, Portland Tina Maharath, State Senator, Canal Winchester . Sandy Nurse, Council Member, Brooklyn Janet Diaz, Council Member, Lancaster We encourage you to consult with the Refugee Advocacy Lab as you create your advocacy plans in your state, and consider the following points as you review this handbook: As you review the policy issues, you may feel that some are more closely related to the needs of refugees in your state than others. My new organization still needs a lot of work, but I am working every day to improve it. Sal Romero, Council Member, Harrisonburg GENEVA (18 July 2023 ) - The Illegal Migration Bill, which has now been passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom, is at variance with the country's obligations under international human rights and refugee law and will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo . Refugee resettlement is not only a lifeline for refugees, but it also invigorates our communitiesstrengthening our economies and civic institutions. My brothers and sisters, with tears streaming down their faces, struggled to comprehend. Sandra Feist, State Representative, New Brighton Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Mitzi Epstein, State Representative, Phoenix Dylan Fernandes, State Representative, Falmouth Pope Francis praises Uganda's welcome of refugees If you have any questions or would still like to support this effort please contact outreach@refugeeadvocacylab.org . Together, we started bringing food and groceries to the hotel rooms. We slowly put our lives back together. Julia Simpkins, a National Union of Education official and one of the organisers of the annual visit, revealed the pupils' visa applications had been denied, effectively preventing them from entering the UK. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which has been a goal of the Biden Administration since 2021. Kamila Shamasha Kassab Nafso Obituary (1939 - 2023) | Southfield, Michigan Cindy Dyballa, City Council Member, Takoma Park Approximately 18,000 Rohingya lived in India as of early last year, according to Rohingya Human Rights Initiative co-founder Ali Johar, with ongoing cases in the Supreme Court against their deportation. Kenneth Kerr, Delegate, Frederick So far in FY 2023 (October 1, 2022, through January 31, 2023), only 9,240 refugees were resettled under a similar ceiling. In the 1980s, Dewey served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department's Bureau for . It comes after a group of schoolchildren from Palestine was barred by the Home Office from visiting Bolton, a town in Greater Manchester in England, this summer. Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative, Olympia The Welcome Corps. The United Nations said the military campaign against the Rohingya was carried out with genocidal intent and some of the military generals are facing a genocide trial at the International Court of Justice. New Delhi has not signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which spells out refugee rights and states responsibilities to protect them, nor does it have its own laws protecting refugees. "This is a really amazing opportunity for the U.S. to see what it looks like for us to be the type of country that welcomes in refugees, that's able to provide safe haven and opportunity and a pathway to a rich and desirable future for people that have experienced such trauma, have experienced such hardship in their lives," Alight CEO Jocelyn Wyatt told NPR's A Martinez. The impact of a given policy option on the refugee and broader immigrant community should be clear. Tami Gouveia, State Representative, Acton One day, a 25-year-old Afghan refugee tried to go to find a store and a car hit him. Canada marks 20,000 Afghan arrivals with help from partners at home and Alison Coombs, Council Member, Aurora Most suffer acute physical and mental health conditions. As a record-breaking refugee crisis unfolds globally, we have a chance to affirm U.S. leadership and our commitments to the world and to this nation by welcoming refugees into our communities. Poppy Arford, State Representative, Brunswick Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Terri Hill, Delegate, Columbia Caleb Rudow, State Representative, Asheville Raegan LaRochelle, State Representative, Augusta News of the attack reached every corner of the country, and the air was filled with a mix of shock, confusion, and, for too many, a twisted sense of triumph. As leaders in our communities and elected officials at all levels of state and local government, we write today to express our strong support for protecting and resettling refugees in the United States. Groups of at least five people eager to sponsor a refugee family must raise $2,275 to support each refugee during their first three months in the country with needs such as apartment deposits and furniture. We were all innocent victims in a land consumed by hatred. Rhonda Fields, State Senator, Aurora Sam Rasoul, Delegate, Roanoke As my father looked at the images of planes flying into the twin towers on the television screen, he felt a deep sadness engulfing him. Kim Schofield, State Representative, Atlanta Take me out of this place. Welcome.US For the current fiscal year, which began on October 1, the administration has set a target of 125,000 refugees once again. J. Sandy Bartlett, Delegate, Annapolis Kristen Cloutier, State Representative, Lewiston President Biden on Twitter: "On World Refugee Day, we honor the bravery Charnette Frederic, Council Member, Irvington Our journey through the mountains to Pakistan after the Taliban took over was fraught with danger and uncertainty. Mr Jenrick said the murals, which included images of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, were not age appropriate for the majority of young people staying there but reports claimed he had felt they were too welcoming. Jamie Pedersen, State Senator, Seattle At least, then. U.S. has welcomed more than 500,000 migrants as part of historic Jonathan Vanderbilt, Mayor, Park Forest Rachel Talbot Ross, Assistant House Majority Leader, Portland Kaye Kory, Delegate, Falls Church They cursed him, their aggression boiling over, and chaos ensued. I moved dozens of Afghan refugees from stressful jobs to better ones, and enrolled them in English classes close to their homes. Jennifer Longdon, State Representative, Phoenix Jessica Gonzlez-Rojas, Assemblymember, East Elmhurst The details of the funding arrangement remain confidential, the department said. John McCollister, State Senator, Omaha, Jenny Brekhus, Council Member, Reno Press | 200+ Organizations Signal Support for the Welcome Corps, New Abdi Adan Muse, a refugee from Somalia who has been held in PNG for a decade, said the constant stress of a dangerous present, and an uncertain future, has an impact on you psychologically always thinking and constantly worrying. Since 2020, the International Rescue Committee and the Refugee Advocacy Labs state-level portfolio of advocacy work has expanded significantly to include new issue areas that affect the overall integration of refugee and immigrant community members. They invigorate our economies, bring innovation to our towns, and make our communities stronger through their contributions to our public life and cultural institutions. Melanie Sachs, State Representative, Freeport Zach Hudson, State Representative, Troutdale Merhaba. Many of my fellow soldiers were left behind. Amy Roeder, State Representative, Bangor PA. Primary children sent hand-drawn pictures to young refugees following the removal of murals at an asylum centre which were reportedly considered too welcoming. Monica DAntonio, School Board Vice President, Norristown In total, at least 103 million people are currently forcibly displaced. Ghazala Hashmi, State Senator, Richmond Kathy Tran, Delegate, Springfield Darcey said she wanted people to recognise that refugee children are like superheroes as they've been escaping their country and they've probably been walking miles and miles to just find safety. Tony Palomba, Council Member, Watertown As part of the school's work towards a Schools of Sanctuary award a national network of more than 400 schools committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees and those seeing asylum the children at St Gerard's heard what it was like for refugees to leave their country and seek asylum in the UK. They sent about 100 pictures to children at the Kent Intake Centre, as well as some directly to British Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick. 0:50. Social media toolkit for elected officials. DHS.BRIS@illinois.gov. Lois Galgay Reckitt, State Representative, South Portland Michael Dembrow, State Senator, Portland George Harcilla, Council Member, Dumont Several other countries, including Canada and Australia, already have similar programs in place. About the Welcome Corps - Welcome Corps Heidi Carter, County Commissioner, Durham Chris Hoffman, Mayor, North Liberty Research from Amnesty International has identified China as the country with the most welcoming attitude to refugees. 2023: Welcoming Refugees Project - Students Rebuild I learned from one of my best friends about Drake Universitys Bright College program, which had great opportunities for nontraditional students. He said those held in Moresby report: their financial allowance is insufficient to buy enough food or other essentials; they now receive fewer medical appointments, and; they are having to fund their own medication. OVERVIEW OF U.S. Liliana Bakhtiari, Council Member, Atlanta Alight is part of a consortium of non-profit organizations, WelcomeCorps.org had 28,000 unique visits. CNN The Biden administration on Thursday unveiled a new program to allow groups of private citizens to sponsor refugees from around the world to live in the United States. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Carri Hicks, State Senator, Oklahoma City January 19, 2023 10:11 AM ET. This guide was written and designed to not just share impactful policy ideas but to also help you initiate activity to advance legislation. Welcoming Refugees - /PS . In mid-2023, the program will expand to allow private sponsors to identify refugees they wish to sponsor and also refer applicants to the USRAP for consideration. Among them, UNHCR estimates that 2 million refugees need access to resettlement this year. Muktar Sheikh, School Board Member, Phoenix "Because we speak the same language as the refugees, we can understand their needs better," said Anatoliy Cherednichenko, an Alight guide who assists hosts on the ground with Ukrainian refugees. Christian Solorio, State Representative, Phoenix Both American citizens and permanent residents can form Private Sponsor Groups (PSGs). Among them, UNHCR estimates that 2 million refugees need access to resettlement this year. The award is named for Arthur "Gene" Dewey, in recognition of his leadership and lifetime commitment to serving and protecting refugees. I fought for 12 years, getting injured several times and then returning to the frontlines. The new program will use lessons learned from the successful Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans, which RefugePoint helped to build. Rhode Island, Alana DiMario, State Senator, Narragansett Ophelia said she through the British government should listen to us and change their mind and start being kind to the refugees and giving them things. Mike Connolly, State Representative, Cambridge Use the DHS Office Locator to locate your local Family Community Resource Center or contact the Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee and Immigrant Services. My father, his lips trembling with sadness and helplessness, yearned to shield his family. They have invigorated our economies, brought innovation to our towns, and made our communities stronger through their contributions to our public life and cultural institutions. Now he's fighting to help other refugees in Iowa live good lives. Mike Simmons, State Senator, Chicago Andrs Cano, State Representative, Tucson Alight sponsors based in Minneapolis take a walk with two sisters from Ukraine who moved to the U.S. with their family. I am very appreciative of every single person who helped me to join Bright College, and I am very proud to be a Drake student. Our next Challenge will launch in late summer 2023 . Welcome Corps also provides great benefits to the hosts, according to partner organizations. This journey taught me to never give up. Michael Yantachka, State Representative, Charlotte, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Delegate, Alexandria By the end of December -. The Welcome Corps aims to strengthen and modernize the U.S. Hunyng. Juan Marcano, Council Member, Aurora His words resonated with some of the people around him. People celebrated violence and glorified terrorists, while we lived with a profound sense of betrayal and disillusionment. Caroline Bays, Council Member, Watertown Detainees include pregnant women, children and disabled persons who are suffering violence, he added. Brian Hawkins, Council Member, San Jacinto Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, Council Member, Watsonville Michaelle Solages, Assemblymember, Elmont, Pam Hemminger, Mayor, Chapel Hill Dacia Grayber, State Representative, Portland Refugee Admissions - United States Department of State Pete Lee, State Senator, Colorado Springs Suzanne Salisbury, State Representative, Westbrook Deb Patterson, State Senator, Salem July 12, 2023. Anyone who may wish to engage in creating pro-refugee legislation should do so in coordination with their local resettlement agency and refugee leaders to address the most pressing needs. In anticipation of the Presidents annual decision on how many refugees the United States will resettle in the upcoming fiscal year, this nonpartisan, unbranded letter emphasizes how vital refugees are to our communities, and why we need a robust, well-funded system to welcome them. Despite the state department describing the Welcome Corps as the boldest innovation in refugee settlement in four decades, many developing countries have been far more generous than the US in admitting refugees. That's it! Rohingya are human beings, survivors of a genocide and deserving of basic freedom and dignity given to everyone else, said Kyaw Min. We urge you to consider the voices of elected leaders across the country as we join together in support of this life-saving program. What additional information would help you learn more about this issue in your state? Nelida Mendoza, Council Member, Santa Ana Each issue is separated into two parts: Policy assessment and recommendations, including a summary of the issue, best practices, sample policies, and language modifications to consider for compromise agreement. In FY 2021, the United States resettled 11,411 refugees, the lowest in any year on record. If your group is motivated, you can probably complete . Elaine ONeal, Mayor, Durham The Government of Canada, with the support of settlement service providers, is also working here at home . Urbandale police found his dead body on the road. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently reported that an unprecedented 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, 42 percent of which are children. Joy Lyndes, Council Member, Encinitas They know that refugees were forced to flee in order to save their lives and are now looking for a place to be safe and call home again. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, State Representative, Commerce City Washington, D.C. 20500. But in the three months that ended in December, just 6,750 refugees arrived. The youngsters, who live in the Askar refugee camp near Nablus, have been frequent visitors to the town in recent years, courtesy of efforts from Bolton residents. Rommel Sandino, Council Member, Hyattsville An earlier freedom of information request by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre for similar information was rejected on the grounds that the release could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the Australian governments international relations. Julie Palakovich, Delegate, Rockville Whether you have an hour to make an art project with impact or a full year to deep dive, weve got a lesson plan that will help you make the most of your time. Celebrate and share about your team's participation in the Challenge using these materials. Alfred Parham, Council Member, Patterson The refugees and asylum seekers still in PNG say they live in a state of limbo, facing an uncertain, precarious future. pathway to safety. Christa Yoakum, County Commissioner, Lincoln On 14 June 2023, a fishing boat smuggling migrants sank in international waters in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Pylos, Messenia, Greece.The boat, which left Tobruk, Libya, on 10 June, carried an estimated 400 to 750 migrants. Athena Salman, State Representative, Phoenix You can be a bridge to safety for people seeking refuge in the U.S. . The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that among them, 2 million people need urgent access to resettlement this year. The Welcome Corps is a new service opportunity for Americans to welcome refugees seeking freedom and safety and, in turn, make a difference in their own communities, the programs website said. Those arrested included 55 men, 14 women and five children who were living in six districts of Uttar Pradesh after crossing the border illegally, police said in their statement. Bill Tallman, State Senator, Albuquerque Alight Guides meeting refugees at Przemysl, Poland train station. The Guardian put detailed questions to the Department of Home Affairs about the confidential bilateral agreement with PNG. We hope that you will take into account our strong desire to welcome refugees as you make your determination. have been forcibly displaced, a new record. Alight Guides work in the US and around the world to support both refugees as well as US sponsor groups through the entire journey. Strategic engagement guidance specific to varying political environments, including a checklist of advocacy considerations and instructions for strategically targeting both relevant legislative committees and local and national partners. Our democracy is stronger and healthier when the process is fully respected.. Sara Lamnin, Council Member, Hayward, John Bauters, Mayor, Emeryville Tonight, after three and a half years of waiting, we'll finally be reunited.