U.S. Catholic leaders concerned by low number of resettled refugees

We are deeply concerned about both the historically low target that the administration has set for refugee admissions for fiscal year 2018, as well as by the extraordinarily low number of refugees that the United States is on pace to resettle during the current fiscal year.”

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez

Catholic leaders wrote to the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security March 26 expressing concern for the low number of refugees to be resettled this year in the United States.

President Donald Trump has cut the number of refugees to be admitted into the United States, from 110,000 in fiscal year 2017 — a bar set by former President Barack Obama — to 45,000 in fiscal year 2018. But even that number will not likely be met, according to resettlement agencies.

The effects are being felt throughout the network of agencies that help to resettle refugees throughout the United States.

To date, Refugee and Immigration Services of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNM) has helped resettle 44 new arrivals in the first six months of the current fiscal year.

That number is down from 108 new arrivals by this time in the previous fiscal year.

In his letter, released March 27, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, said: “We are deeply concerned about both the historically low target that the administration has set for refugee admissions for fiscal year 2018, as well as by the extraordinarily low number of refugees that the United States is on pace to resettle during the current fiscal year.”

He said the current level of refugee arrivals “leaves thousands of vulnerable people in harm’s way and searching for protection.”

“Most often they are at-risk women and children who are too vulnerable to remain in the region and/or in situations too dangerous for them to wait in the host country until the conflict at home has ended,” said Bishop Vasquez.

Another letter, signed by more than 1,600 Catholic organizations, priests, women religious and lay Catholics, similarly urged the government to take action, urging the Trump administration “to listen to our communities when we stand in solidarity to welcome refugees in this moment of global need.”

“Integral to our life of faith”

Both letters urge dialogue on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, pointing out that halfway through the 2018 fiscal year, the U.S. federal government had welcomed approximately 9,600 refugees, less than 25 percent of the refugees allowed for this year.

Bishop Vasquez wrote that welcoming refugees is “integral to our life of faith” and said that in this spirit, the U.S. bishops would like the Trump administration “to renew a bipartisan commitment to resettlement for refugees, including religious minorities.”

He also urged that at least 45,000 refugees be admitted this year and 75,000 next year asking that the Homeland Security Department “work to process refugees in a more robust, efficient and transparent manner.”

The decreased number of refugee resettlement cases in the United States has already impacted the work religious groups, including the USCCB, provides.

A Religion News Service article in mid-February said USCCB officials expected to close 15 resettlement sites this year, and more than 300 Catholic Charities employees who work in this area could see a temporary or permanent layoff or job reassignment due to decreased number of refugees coming into the country.

Concerned but hopeful

Dan Lester, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, said the agency shares the concerns outlined in Bishop Vasquez’s letter.

But CCCNM personnel are also heartened by the level of support they see from fellow Catholic organizations, religious brothers and sisters, and professionals.

“The Diocese of Jefferson City has a long history of successful refugee resettlement work, welcoming thousands of new Americans over the past 30-plus years,” Mr. Lester noted.

He added that Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City has made his support for Catholic Charities’ ongoing resettlement efforts clear, meeting with refugee families early in his tenure as bishop and reaffirming the Christian call to “Welcome the Stranger” (Matthew 25:35).

“Despite current challenges, we will continue to engage in this life-saving ministry and welcome all members of the Diocese of Jefferson City to take pride in this work,” said Mr. Lester. “It truly illustrates the caring, loving nature of our Catholic faith.”