Refugee Admissions Set At All-Time Low for 2020

Executive Director Rev. Vy Nguyen has been traveling the past few weeks, visiting our ministry partners in the Middle East--partners who are working to meet the needs of refugees in temporary settlements. This is his reflection on yesterday's announcement that the U.S. will reduce its refugee admissions cap to an all-time low in the coming year. 

In 1990, I was one of 125,000 refugees who were lucky enough to be resettled in the United States. My time in those refugee camps throughout Southeast Asia lasted only four years.

As I woke up this morning to leave Morocco for home, I heard the news that the administration set refugee admissions for 2020 at a devastating 18,000--reducing entries to an unprecedented low and further decimating the refugee resettlement program. I am heartbroken. This policy will have a ripple effect all over the world and impact millions of lives.

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The church has always been a part of the work of resettling refugees, and that ministry is an important part of our identity as Christians. The Bible tells and retells the stories of refugees. Moses sought refuge from the Egyptians; Naomi and Ruth resettled and rebuilt their lives; and Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were displaced due to state-sponsored violence.

Over the last several years, I've traveled across the United States in my role with Week of Compassion and met with many churches who welcomed refugees into their communities. I learned that many of these refugees became Disciples because of the local church.

When I read about the reduction in refugee resettlement, I thought about the many children I met this past week living in refugee camps. Their time waiting in the camp will now be much longer as the number of refugees continues to rise.
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Today I hope you will join me in praying for the many refugees around the world. Pray for the many faith communities who have secured and furnished apartments to welcome refugees into their community but now might not be able to receive families. I hope you will take action, speak out, and call your elected officials.

For more information about contacting your representatives, and for other resources and ways to help, visit Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries.