10 Reasons Why 2021 Made Us Hopeful About Refugee Inclusion
There are more forcibly displaced people living around the world today than ever before on historic record. And amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing externalization and polarization, refugee protection and inclusion is under threat. Indeed, the United States admitted only 11,411 refugees into the country this past fiscal year—the lowest number in the history of the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
Refugee advocates are fighting hard for more inclusive policies and welcome for people who have been forced to flee their homes. But here at the Refugee Advocacy Lab, we also have hope. We have seen people in every corner of the country step up to welcome refugees. Here are ten reasons why we we are hopeful about refugee inclusion in states and communities across the United States this year:
State leaders across the country took a stand to support, defend, and pass pro-refugee legislation. In the last year, state legislators introduced—and passed—dozens of measures to welcome refugees and support their integration through workforce development, strengthened language access policies, and other measures. In Virginia, Del. Kathy Tran introduced budget language establishing a working group to identify workforce barriers for refugees and policy solutions to address those obstacles. In Nevada, Senator Donate stood up for improved language access policies so that refugees face fewer barriers to opportunities. The Utah state legislature passed a law that allows immigrants to join the state’s law enforcement. And in Montana, State Sen. Bogner and senate finance committee members reinstated the federal funding for refugee resettlement into the budget after it was voted out in the House chamber.
Former refugees are running for office—and winning! Former refugee Wilmott Collins won reelection as mayor of Helena, Montana this year, as did Delegate Kathy Tran of Virginia, who came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam at age two. And former Liberian refugee Naquetta Ricks became the first-ever African immigrant to serve in the Colorado legislature starting in January 2021, as did Massachusetts State Rep. Vanna Howard, whose family fled Cambodia when she was a young girl.
Governors voiced strong support for welcoming our new Afghan neighbors. Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August and the U.S. evacuation of Afghan allies and leaders, governors of both parties across the country have publicly welcomed Afghans to their states and formed task forces to organize resources to ensure that resettlement agencies and communities are ready to welcome. Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland called his state’s welcome of Afghans “the least we can do.”
More than 300 state and local officials from all 50 states signed a bipartisan letter urging the Biden administration to increase refugee admissions to the United States. On signing the letter, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said, “More than 60,000 refugees have arrived in Colorado since 1980, and we are thankful for their continued contributions to our great state... Colorado is a leader in refugee resettlement and integration, and we stand ready to welcome these individuals and families.”
Federal leaders stepped forward to support refugee integration efforts that were widely supported at the state level. In June, the bipartisan Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act of 2021 was reintroduced in Congress by Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), John Katko (R-NY), and Young Kim (R-CA). The legislation builds from successes at the state level and would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to study the employment barriers facing internationally credentialed immigrants and refugees.
Support for refugee resettlement in communities across the United States expanded exponentially. Community volunteers and donors overwhelmed local resettlement offices with support as they planned to welcome Afghans.
More than 420 business leaders from Main Street to Wall Street in all 50 states and DC came together to show their support for refugees. As former refugee and Businesses for Refugees pledge founder Joseph Sackor stated, “The message from the U.S. business community is loud and clear: American businesses in every corner of the country want to welcome refugees and see refugee inclusion as a critical aspect of economic success.” Additionally, U.S. business leaders have stepped up in creative ways to support newly arriving Afghans with employment and training opportunities, in-kind donations, and more.
Even during a pandemic, local leaders took time to meet with resettlement agencies and refugee leaders. In Colorado, advocates and refugees hosted virtual advocacy days with state legislators. And in Utah, state legislators participated in a virtual legislative briefing with refugee leaders from throughout the state to hear their perspectives and experiences.
Local officials are planning more support for pro-refugee policies going ahead into the new year. In New York, Sen. Gounardes has already released his NY Loves Refugees Legislative Package for the 2022 state session, which would “ bar any New York state locality from discriminating against refugees resettled in their area,” and “direct the state Department of Labor to commission a study to figure out how to minimize obstacles for individuals who come to the United States with careers, professional credentials or degrees and want to utilize them to start their lives in the United States.”
And leaders across the country wanted to learn more about how to engage in and drive forward pro-refugee policies. More than 1,000 people from all over the United States joined the first-ever Refugee Advocacy Summit Ready to Welcome: States Lay the Foundation in June. And in November, state leaders from across the country joined a Refugee Advocacy Lab webinar to learn more about how leaders in Colorado and New Jersey are taking a unique approach in streamlining their response to the resettlement of newly arrived Afghans.
The Refugee Advocacy Lab will continue to grow this diverse constituency for leadership on refugee protection in the year to come. Learn more about how to join us at http://www.refugeeadvocacylab.org.