Washington D.C., Aug 5, 2019 / 15:26 pm
A bipartisan group of 18 senators is urging the Trump administration not to shut down refugee admissions, but rather to increase admissions.
Citing "alarming" reports that the administration might cut off refugee admissions in FY 2020 amidst what the United Nations Refugee Agency says are the "highest levels of displacement on record," the letter from the senators asks the administration "to increase the refugee resettlement cap and to admit as many refugees as possible within that cap."
"America has an obvious interest in demonstrating and promoting freedom of religion to the world, including accepting refugees who flee persecution because of their faith," states the letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, and Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan.
The letter initiative was led by Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).