Action Alert! Your voice is needed!
The Issue: World Refugee Day is celebrated each year on June 20. This is a time to stand in solidarity with refugees around the world, to celebrate their resiliency and the gifts they bring to our communities, and to advocate for increased protections for refugees.
Worldwide, there are 22.5 million refugees, and over half are children under the age of 18. Refugees are people who are fleeing their home country due to fear of persecution, and who are seeking safety from war and violence. As a country, we must not turn our back on these vulnerable people. We have a moral imperative to act to welcome refugees into the United States with dignity, respect, and compassion.
In the past, the United States has been a global leader in welcoming refugees fleeing war and violence. However, based on current numbers, the United States will likely only resettle around 20,000 refugees this year, and maybe even fewer. The Administration’s original resettlement goal for FY 2018 was stated as 45,000 people, which is already a historically low number.
As people of faith, we recognize the dignity and worth of each and every person, and we believe that each person is created in the image of God. We are called to welcome the stranger and care for the vulnerable.
The Action Needed: We encourage you to participate in the World Refugee Day National Call-in Week by calling your Members of Congress during the week of June 18-22. Tell Congress to welcome Refugees – Call-866-961-4293
You could also write or email your Members of Congress to urge them to hold the Administration accountable for welcoming at least 45,000 refugees this year to the United States. House Members Senate Members
Ask them to work to address the root causes of forced migration that lead to increased numbers of refugees around the world, including war, violence, poverty and climate change.
Additional action suggestions:
- Check out the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops World Refugee Day Toolkit
- The toolkit contains more background information about refugees, as well as prayers and other ideas for putting your faith into action
- The Interfaith Immigration Coalition for World Refugee Day also has a great toolkit that contains ideas for taking action in support of refugees
- Consider sending a “Refugees Welcome” or “We Choose Welcome” postcard from this toolkit
- Consider sending a “Refugees Welcome” or “We Choose Welcome” postcard from this toolkit
Who to Contact: Use the National Call-in number 1-800-961-4293 from June 18-22, or call your Members of Congress directly at their CT offices:
Senator Richard Blumenthal: 860.258.6940, 90 State House Sq, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Senator Chris Murphy: 860.549.8463, Colt Gateway, 120 Huyshope Ave, Suite 401, Hartford, CT 06106
Representative John Larson: 860.278.8888, 221 Main St, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106
Representative Joe Courtney: 860.886.0139, 77 Hazard Ave, Unit J, Enfield, CT 06082
Representative Rosa DeLauro: 203.562.3718, 59 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510
Representative Jim Himes: 866.453.0028, 211 State St, 2nd Floor, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Representative Elizabeth Esty: 860.223.8412, 1 Grove St, Suite 600, New Britain, CT 06053
Sample Message: “My name is ____ and I live in your district. I’m calling to urge you to hold the Administration accountable for welcoming at least 45,000 refugees to the U.S. this year. As a person of faith, this issue is important to me because… Thank you for your time and advocacy for refugees.”
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