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THE ISSUE
The international community faces a displacement crisis of historic proportions that requires bold leadership, innovative solutions, and all countries to do their fair share. Currently, there are 80 million people forcibly displaced because of war, violence, persecution, or the climate crisis – with the number only growing worse every year. Nearly 26 million of those displaced are refugees, having fled their country of origin and unable or unwilling to return voluntarily.
Unable to return home, most refugees stay in their host country where they try to build a new life. For a small minority facing specific protection risks, staying in their initial host country is not an option, making resettlement necessary. The U.N. Refugee Agency estimates that 1.44 million refugees need access to resettlement in 2020. Despite this, only a tiny fraction is afforded this chance.
THE HUMAN COST
Malik is an Iraqi refugee stranded with his family in Beirut, Lebanon, after the U.S. government failed to keep its promise to resettle him, his wife Sana and their two sons.* After years of harassment and discrimination, fearing for their lives because they are Christian, they fled Iraq in 2013. Malik and his family thought their dream had come true when they were accepted for resettlement to the U.S. in 2016, however the current administration’s first Muslim ban halted their resettlement process from moving forward. Since that time, their case has been stuck in limbo — in “security checks” – indefinitely. Malik should be able to enjoy his human rights as a refugee, and should not live in limbo, without hope.
*Pseudonyms used to protect their privacy and security
Resettlement is a lifeline for refugees and a key component of responsibility-sharing that allows states to support each other by agreeing to resettle refugees from host countries. Since the 1980 Refugee Act established the refugee program, the U.S. has historically resettled the largest number of refugees annually. From 1980 until 2017, U.S. administrations have, on average, set the ceiling for refugee resettlement at 95,000. The admissions ceiling for Fiscal Year 2020 is 18,000, the lowest goal ever set by any administration, and accompanied by drastic changes to the types of refugees prioritized.
Abandoning Responsibility: A fundamental principle of refugee protection is responsibility- sharing and international cooperation. Unfortunately, the U.S. government is abandoning its duty to share in its responsibility to protect refugees. Successive bans and policy changes have taken their toll, with many refugees who expected to be resettled to the U.S. stuck in a never-ending limbo of security vetting.
Instead of upholding its responsibilities, the U.S. is abdicating its duty for refugee protection, drastically cutting the number of refugees it will accept for resettlement. The U.S. Government has also sought to cut programs that offer life-saving and life-preserving humanitarian aid to displaced populations the world over. Responsibility-sharing of all states is critical to reduce the impact of large-scale refugee populations on host countries, and each state should contribute to the maximum of its capacity. The U.S. has not only reduced its commitment to offering protection to refugees in need of resettlement, it has all but abandoned global leadership in ensuring refugee’s access to durable, lasting protection opportunities. While other governments have expressed increased interest in creating pathways for refugee protection, including community sponsorship programs for refugees, none of these programs could ever replace the capacity the U.S. refugee program once offered.
TALKING POINTS
- The U.S. must be a robust participant in refugee protection and lead the way in investing in innovative solutions that protect the human rights of refugees.
- When a country invests a small amount in refugee protection, the dividends pay off for generations.
- International solidarity is needed in the best of times. Now, it is an absolute must. The United States must not allow restrictions on exercise of rights to become the new normal.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The U.S. should ease pressure on countries currently hosting the greatest number of refugees by participating in equitable and predictable pathways to protection for refugees, including by expanding access to traditional resettlement, and by facilitating the successful integration of refugees in their host countries or helping to facilitate the conditions for voluntary return to refugees’ countries of origin.
- In addition to expanding resettlement, the U.S. should invest in other admission pathways, including humanitarian programs, family reunification, and co-sponsorship programs.
- Increase financial support to international organizations working on the front lines to address refugees’ needs, including ensuring that refugee camps and host countries have medical personnel and supplies, along with clean running water.
- For refugees who remain in displacement, the U.S. should increase its financial support of international humanitarian programs that enhance refugees’ self-reliance through educational opportunities, job and livelihood programs, focus on women’s and children’s unique needs, energy support, and other independence measures.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- ‘The Mountain is in Front of Us and the Sea is Behind Us’: The Impact of US Policies on Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan (2019) (available here)
- Refugees and Migrants Forgotten in COVID-19 Crisis Response (2020) (available here)
- Refugee-led organizations need support to continue their vital work (2020) (available here)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Ryan Mace
Senior Policy Advisor, Refugees
(202) 509-8185