URGENT: Affirm the Importance of Resettlement & Support for Syrian refugees!

Background
With the administration’s announcement to increase annual resettlement numbers to 85,000 in 2016 and 100,000 in 2017, it is critical that we support this increase and continue to call for an addition 100,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled.

Take Action TODAY: We need as many people to call Congress and the White House TODAY and EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.

Feel free to use this script: I support Secretary John Kerry’s announcement to increase refugee resettlement in 2016, and want the administration to do even more and resettle 100,000 Syrian refugees on top of the annual numbers. In 1980, the U.S. resettled more than 200,000 refugees, showing that where there’s a will, there’s a way. I am ready, willing and able to welcome Syrian refugees.

1. Call Congress: Call (202) 224-3121 THREE times – for your Representative and both Senators

2. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111

3. Share this alert on social media!

“Your voice is needed TODAY to support resettlement for Syrian #refugees! #WelcomeWorld”

4. Set up local meetings with your Members of Congress: Every Representative and Senator needs to know that their community cares about refugees. Setting up a meeting with the members and their staff when they are in their home offices can make a huge difference as we seek to help Syrian refugees and improve services that help refugees rebuild their lives . A great toolkit to guide you through how to set up such a meeting and what legislation to discuss can be found at http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/members/Local%20Congressional%20Visit%20Advocacy%20Toolkit_09.16.15.pdf

Church World Service Encouraged by Obama Administration’s Increase in Refugee Resettlement, Reiterates Call for an Additional 100,000 Syrians
International humanitarian agency says gradual increase is still not enough given Syrian crisis

WASHINGTON – Church World Service (CWS), one of the nine refugee resettlement agencies in the United States, applauded the Obama Administration’s weekend announcement to increase annual refugee resettlement numbers over the next two years. But the humanitarian agency continued its call for 100,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled over and above the annual number. On Sunday, Secretary of State John Kerry committed to increasing the numbers of refugees the U.S. will resettle from 70,000 this past year to 85,000 in fiscal year 2016 and 100,000 in 2017.

“While we appreciate the Obama administration recognizing the need to increase refugee resettlement, its newly announced numbers still do not match the magnitude of the current global refugee crisis,” said Erol Kekic, Director of the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program. “Germany has agreed to welcome one million Syrians, which in proportion to each country’s population, would be the equivalent of the United States accepting 3 million Syrian refugees. We stand firm in demanding that our political leaders demonstrate leadership and inspire the hospitality of all nations.”

Representing 37 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox denominations and communions, CWS has joined with partner international and refugee resettlement organizations to urge the United States to accept 200,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2016, including at least 100,000 Syrians.

“This is just the first step our nation must take to live up to its legacy of leadership,” said the Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS President and CEO. “As we face the greatest number of displaced people since the end of World War II, the United States must work to further increase the number of refugees resettled in the United States. We’ve done this before when faced with refugee crises after the violence in Kosovo and the fall of Saigon, and with the tremendous community support already seen for Syrian refugees, we can do it again. The CWS network is ready, willing, and able to resettle at least 200,000 refugees in the coming year, including 100,000 Syrians in dire need of support.”

Since 1946, CWS has supported refugees and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty.

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