Mercy Corps: U.S. Should Restore, Not Reduce, Refugee Cap

Rejecting refugees goes against American values and ideals

Mercy Corps today released the following statement from its Chief Executive Officer, Neal Keny-Guyer in response to the proposed reduction of the number of refugees admitted to the United States:

The United States has a long and proud history of welcoming families fleeing conflict and persecution. Yet despite record global displacement, with nearly 69 million individuals worldwide displaced from their home, this Administration continues to close the door to families seeking safe haven. The world is facing a true migration crisis, but this year the United States proposes resettling the lowest number of refugees in decades — only 30,000. We think this is wrong, both for refugees and for the United States.

For perspective, since 2000, the yearly refugee resettlement cap has averaged almost 74,000 refugees, peaking in 2016 at 85,000 refugees. Last year, the Administration reduced it to 45,000 – the lowest since the Refugee Act of 1980 was established. Mercy Corps strongly believes the United States should continue its long-standing leadership role and restore the refugee resettlement cap to its traditional levels of at least 75,000 annually.

Accepting refugees is what has made — and continues to make — America great. Opening our doors reaffirms core American values, improves the local economies where refugees settle and protects vital U.S. national interests.

This unreasonably low refugee resettlement cap comes at a time when tens of millions of people have been forced from their homes, mostly due to conflict. Mercy Corps believes the United States should remember its proud history and continue to serve as a beacon of freedom and hope for all people, no matter their race, religion or nationality.