Washington – Today, President Joe Biden signed an executive order increasing the number of refugees admitted into the U.S. to 125,000 for fiscal year 2021, course-correcting and repairing refugee admissions from the historically low and restrictive level of just 15,00 that they had been eroded to under the Trump administration as recently as last Fall. The nationwide Opportunity for All Campaign celebrates this historic restoration of our nation’s role as a place of refuge and commitment to global human rights.
“The rapid steps on refugee admissions and the shift in posture towards those seeking refuge, fleeing persecution, violence, climate catastrophe and poverty taken by the Biden administration are an urgently anticipated sign of hope for refugees across the world,” noted Nejra Sumic, campaign manager of the Opportunity All for Campaign. “Though the damage of the last four years cannot be swiftly repaired, these immediate steps are game-changing.”
“As a former refugee, I know first hand what this action by President Biden means for millions of hopeful refugees waiting for resettlement. I am beyond excited to hear that this administration has chosen to stand on the right side of history and prioritize fulfilling our duty as a nation that values protecting and welcoming the most vulnerable,” said Kayo Beshir, community organizer at the Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition. “I look forward to more families reunifying with their loved ones and for many more to get this opportunity to be resettled in the USA. Today, we celebrate refugee resettlement and stand by Biden as he makes this victory possible.”
Basma Alawee, chair of the Opportunity for All Campaign and a former refugee from Iraq reminds us that, “while the administration increased refugee resettlement numbers to 125,000, we must also ensure that we provide the social, economic, and political conditions necessary so that every person who calls America home can reach their full potential.”
The “Opportunity for All” campaign, led by refugees and immigrants, is spearheaded by We Are All America, a refugee organizing alliance housed under the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). The campaign seeks to shift social, political, and economic conditions so that refugees and other new arrivals can achieve their full potential and ensure that the United States remains a nation of opportunity for those seeking freedom, safety, and refuge.
In addition to NPNA, We Are All America’s national partners include Alianza Americas, Church World Service, Human Rights First, Refugee Congress, the Refugee Advocacy Lab, Refugee Council USA, and Welcoming America.
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The National Partnership for New Americans is a national multiethnic, multiracial organization that represents 41 of the largest regional immigrant and refugee rights organizations in 37 states. Its members provide large-scale services for the communities, to leverage their collective power and expertise for a national strategy. Opportunity for All is a vibrant, national campaign – led by former refugees, asylees and immigrants – designed to shift social, political and economic conditions so that refugees can achieve their full potential and ensure America remains a nation of opportunity for those seeking freedom, safety and refuge in the United States. More information about the Opportunity for All campaign is available at https://www.weareallusa.org/o4a
