Hundreds of Bipartisan State and Local Elected Officials Rally to Support Refugee Resettlement, Call on Trump Admin to Restart the Program
WASHINGTON—In a powerful initiative aimed at reaffirming the importance of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, a group of more than 300 bipartisan state and local elected officials across the country delivered a letter to the Trump administration today calling for the immediate restoration of the refugee program.
Within its first days in office in January, the Trump administration indefinitely and abruptly suspended refugee resettlement and terminated short-term funding meant to support refugees when they first arrive in their new communities. The administration alleged that part of its rationale for doing so was an unfounded claim that refugees place a burden on local communities.
The coalition—representing 316 elected leaders nationwide and including 19 mayors—seeks to set the record straight and reaffirm the bipartisan U.S. commitment to refugee resettlement and the invaluable contributions of refugees to local communities and economies.
“Our communities have benefited directly from their contributions: refugees establish businesses, fill critical gaps in the labor force in healthcare, manufacturing, STEM, and other key industries. Refugees strengthen our cultural and social fabric, ensuring our states – and country – remain economically and socially vibrant,” the letter reads.
“Pittsburgh is made stronger and more vibrant because of our commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive city for all members of our community,” said Pittsburgh, PA Mayor Ed Gainey. “Ensuring we continue to welcome immigrants and refugees, who start new businesses, invigorate our local economy and bring cultural vitality to our city, is part of our long-term growth strategy. Together, we are building a city for all.”
“A nation’s greatness isn’t defined by the size of its economy or the strength of its military but by its commitment to use what power it has to improve the lives of others,” said New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “America has a proud, bipartisan tradition of sheltering refugees who have been forced to flee their homeland to escape war, famine and disease. As the strongest nation on earth, we should continue that tradition and do what we can to help these families rebuild their lives and, in the process, demonstrate to the world the true nature of America’s character and the real measure of our greatness.”
“Belonging is a simple idea, but it takes intentional effort to create,” said Bloomington, IN Mayor Kerry Thomson. “It requires more than opening our doors; it calls us to open our hearts and minds, to recognize the humanity in others—even when their stories differ from our own. Bloomington has long been a community that strives to live out those ideals. We are a city shaped by many backgrounds, journeys, and dreams, strengthened by our commitment to inclusion and compassion. In 2021, our community came together to support 6,600 Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury. Today, we remain committed to that legacy of welcome. Since the suspension of the resettlement program, Exodus Refugee, a Bloomington resettlement agency, has shared that many families’ flights have been canceled with no clear timeline for when they can reunite with their loved ones. Restarting the U.S. refugee resettlement program in Bloomington—and cities across the country— would uphold important values of compassion and integrity, which I strongly support.”
“In St. George, we pride ourselves on knowing our neighbors and ensuring every member of our community feels welcome,” said St. George, UT Council Member Dannielle Larkin. “Refugee resettlement is vital to our humanity and to the core values of our nation. The immediate restart of the U.S. refugee resettlement program will allow our community to continue working towards a bright future together.”
“The outpouring of support from local communities across the country shows once again that the divisive, inaccurate rhetoric about refugees and other newcomers coming out of Washington does not reflect the realities on the ground,” said Kate Brick, Executive Director of the Refugee Advocacy Lab, an organizing partner behind the letter effort. “State and local elected leaders see every day how welcoming people seeking safety is an economic and cultural boon to their communities, and an important American legacy that we will fight to protect.”
While the future of the U.S. refugee program is yet unknown, in February a federal court found that the administration’s moves to suspend the program were illegal and called on them to restart resettlement of refugees through the program.
“Together with our clients, IRAP is leading the legal fight to restore the refugee program,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), the organization litigating the refugee ban. “We deeply appreciate the support of the more than 300 state and local elected leaders who represent countless more Americans who view protecting people fleeing violence and persecution as a core value of this country that we must defend. Thank you for standing up for refugees and the communities ready to welcome them.”
A letter text and a full list of signatories is available here.
Learn more at www.defendrefuge.org.
For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.