What's New?
Over the weekend, reports emerged that the administration had issued a presidential determination setting refugee admissions at 7,500 individuals for the fiscal year – without congressional consultation.
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) is deeply alarmed by this historically low refugee admissions goal, which would reportedly prioritize white South Africans over families, children, and individuals already vetted and approved for resettlement in the United States.
In a statement, Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO, said:
“Setting refugee admissions to 7,500 is a moral failure as people of faith and a betrayal of who we are as a nation. For decades, under both Republican and Democratic administrations, our nation has been a beacon of hope for people seeking safety – regardless of faith, race, or country of origin.”
LSSNCA urges elected officials and community members to ensure our nation's moral and legal obligation to serve as a beacon of hope for people seeking safety.
Take Action: Join our partners at Refugee Council USA to urge congressional, state, and local elected leaders to defend refugees and the U.S. resettlement program.
What Else?
DHS Rolls Out Plan to Pressure Unaccompanied Children to 'Voluntarily' Self-Deport
On Friday, October 3, multiple media outlets reported that the Department of Homeland Security would offer thousands of dollars to unaccompanied children to relinquish their right to safety and "voluntarily" leave the United States.
LSSNCA condemns this coercive and morally indefensible tactic.
Take Action: Join our partners at Church World Service to urge your elected officials to condemn DHS's plan to incentivize unaccompanied children's departure.
Judge Blocks Unaccompanied Children from Being Detained by ICE
On October 4, a federal judge ruled that the administration could not transfer unaccompanied children who turned 18 years old from the Office of Refugee Resettlement to adult detention centers run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Garcia Ramirez v. ICE).
Moving vulnerable youths to ICE detention facilities – which have been documented to have widespread human rights abuses – would exacerbate trauma and create further barriers to seeking humanitarian protection.
Unaccompanied children are amongst the most vulnerable, and their rights to seek protection must be upheld and safeguarded in accordance with our moral and legal frameworks.
A new report by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) documents recent administrative changes and their cumulative effects on the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children.
How Can You Help?
- Advocate: Contact your elected officials and urge them to:
- Become a Foster Parent: Foster care for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) provides loving, responsible foster homes for youth who have arrived in the United States without parents or legal guardians.
- Donate: Your support enables LSSNCA to continue our critical work, including serving refugees, unaccompanied children, and families seeking safety and stability.
