CWS Says US House Bill Improves Lives of Refugees and Communities


September 24, 2012

New York, N.Y. -– Global humanitarian agency Church World Service today applauded the introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives of legislation that would significantly improve one of the nation’s most important life-saving endeavors, the U.S. refugee resettlement program.

CWS Immigration and Refugee Program Director Erol Kekic, based in New York City, said the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act “would improve the lives of refugees as well as communities that welcome them.  We applaud Representative Keith Ellison for taking leadership and introducing this ground-breaking legislation.  We urge all members of Congress to co-sponsor this important legislation and do everything possible to help it become law.”

The U.S. refugee resettlement program is a public/private partnership in which the U.S. State Department; nine national voluntary agencies including CWS; communities; schools; national religious bodies and their local congregations; and employers across the country welcome refugees and help them integrate, CWS noted in a statement.  “In turn,” CWS said, “refugees bring their innovative skills, diverse cultures and dedicated work ethic to their new communities, improving quality of life for all.”

The Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act (HR 6460) “would update policies to foster long-term integration success,” CWS reported.  “If enacted, the bill would allow refugees resettled in the United States to arrive with a green card instead of having to wait a year to even apply, thus expediting the process of finding a job. The bill would also extend refugees’ access to assistance from eight to twelve months and extend case management services for refugees who are particularly vulnerable.

“In addition, the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act would expand access to pre-arrival English classes, which have been shown to expedite integration, and would reunite separated families and expedite refugee security checks. The bill would also assist refugees with housing, employment training and recertification, transportation, child care and mental health services.

“The Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act would also establish an emergency fund to help communities meet the needs of refugees in unforeseen circumstances. The bill would also help children who are victims of serious crimes, and would prevent elderly and disabled from having their assistance expire,” CWS said in its statement.

“Refugee resettlement showcases the best virtues of the United States – community, opportunity, hard work, diversity, caring for one another, and courage to start a new life,” Kekic said.  “When refugees are welcomed and provided adequate transitional support, they become vital, contributing members who enrich our communities.”

The full CWS statement follows.

Statement from Church World Service endorsing the
Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act

As one of the nine national voluntary agencies designated by the State Department to resettle refugees in the United States, and as a network of participating denominations and 36 refugee resettlement affiliates and local offices across the country, Church World Service expresses our support for Rep. Keith Ellison’s Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act.

Since the founding of this country, refugees fleeing persecution have found freedom and safety in the United States. The U.S. refugee program is a public / private partnership in which communities, schools, religious congregations and employers across the country welcome refugees and help them integrate. In turn, refugees bring their innovative skills, diverse cultures and dedicated work ethic to their new communities, improving quality of life for all.

Church World Service endorses the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act because it would update policies to foster long-term integration success. If enacted, the bill would allow refugees resettled in the United States to arrive with a green card instead of having to wait a year to even apply, thus expediting the process of finding a job. The bill would also extend refugees’ access to assistance from eight to twelve months and extend case management services for refugees who are particularly vulnerable.

In addition, the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act would expand access to pre-arrival English classes, which have been shown to expedite integration, and would reunite separated families and expedite refugee security checks. The bill would also assist refugees with housing, employment training and recertification, transportation, child care and mental health services. The Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act would also establish an emergency fund to help communities meet the needs of refugees in unforeseen circumstances. The bill would also help children who are victims of serious crimes and would prevent elderly and disabled from having their assistance expire.

Church World Service urges all members of the House of Representatives to support and co-sponsor the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act. With refugees, non-profit organizations, and the U.S. government working together, we can provide protection, foster integration and further the life-saving program that is the U.S. refugee resettlement program.

Tell your members of Congress that you support legislation that benefits refugees and is fair to immigrants. Let them know you support the Ellison bill (HR 6460) – and the “BRAINS” and “Best and Brightest” acts. Learn more and take action now!