Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – The #WelcomeWithDignity campaign applauds the bicameral introduction of the Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2022, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19). The RPA presents a comprehensive set of solutions to rebuild and improve the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems. Among its many crucial provisions, the bill would prohibit policies that block people from seeking protection at the border, improve access to work permits during the asylum process, and expand protections for children seeking safety. Many #WelcomeWithDignity campaign members have endorsed the RPA. We commend Senator Leahy and Representative Lofgren for championing the bill and urge all members of Congress to support it. The campaign also expresses special thanks to Senator Leahy for his decades-long commitment to refugee protection and wishes him the best in his retirement.

“#WelcomeWithDignity is grateful for the leadership of Senator Leahy and Representative Lofgren to bring forward solutions that would improve the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems. The introduction of the Refugee Protection Act comes on the heels of Congress rejecting proposals to undermine the legal and human right to seek safety at the U.S. border,” said Melina Roche, #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign Manager. “We, along with our partners, stand ready to create a more humane and dignified asylum system for all seeking safety.”

“The Refugee Protection Act is a vital piece of legislation that puts in place urgently needed updates to our refugee resettlement and asylum systems that were left in ruins after the previous administration,” said Robyn Barnard, Director of Refugee Advocacy at Human Rights First. “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Senator Leahy and Representative Lofgren in pushing forward this legislation to ensure that never again can our vital humanitarian protection systems be undermined and refugees left to suffer. The legislation contains numerous important provisions among which include clarifications to the law governing asylum adjudications, improvements to work permits processing that would allow asylum seekers to live in dignity while seeking protection, and prohibitions on policies that would bar asylum seekers from accessing the U.S. protection system. We look forward to working with champions in the House and Senate next Congress to push forward the vision of the Refugee Protection Act.”

“Over the past six years, the United States has abdicated its legal and moral responsibilities to people seeking asylum,” said Blaine Bookey, Legal Director of the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS). “Under a constellation of inhumane policies, and against the backdrop of virulent anti-immigrant rhetoric, refugees have been dehumanized, punished, and returned to grave danger. At a time when our asylum system is hanging on by a thread, the RPA presents a clear path forward to rebuild and improve it, grounded in values of fairness and compassion. Congress now has the opportunity to bring us back into alignment with our humanitarian commitments and establish the United States as a global leader in refugee protection.”

“We thank Senator Leahy and Congresswoman Lofgren, both staunch advocates for refugees, for their leadership in reintroducing this essential and common-sense legislation,” said Naomi Steinberg, Vice President, U.S. Policy and Advocacy, HIAS. “HIAS endorsed the RPA when it was first introduced and is doing so again now, because if passed, it would make vast improvements to the way this country welcomes refugees and asylum seekers. The ball is now in Congress’ court to pass the RPA, because the modernization of both the USRAP and U.S. asylum system are long overdue.” 

“The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to support the Refugee Protection Act, which reflects the values and priorities of ASAP’s membership – over 450,000 asylum seekers living in all 50 U.S. states and territories,” said Conchita Cruz, Co-Executive Director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. “Asylum seekers must currently wait far too long to get a work permit, while they wait for their asylum case to be heard. We call on members of Congress to support the Refugee Protection Act, which will ensure asylum seekers get access to work permits more quickly, and help alleviate labor shortages in the United States.” 

“The U.S. has historically been the global humanitarian leader in refugee protection, and the reintroduction of the Refugee Protection Act is a critical step towards safeguarding our protection pathways from any future attempts to undermine and dismantle them,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director, Refugee Congress. “As humanitarian crises grow more frequent and more severe, the RPA sets forth updates that address the harsh realities facing people who seek protection in the US. Refugee Congress leaders know firsthand how vital this legislation is. We thank our many allies for supporting the RPA and urge Congress to move swiftly to pass it.”

“The Refugee Protection Act is comprehensive and humane legislation that creates a pathway toward restoring our devastated asylum system, which was torn apart by the Trump administration and has yet to be repaired under the Biden administration,” said Alvaro Huerta, Director of Litigation & Advocacy, Immigrant Defenders Law Center. “Seeking asylum is indisputably lawful and providing asylum to those in need is an international obligation. The Refugee Protection Act upholds the rights of people in need of protection and should be championed by all members of Congress who believe in the promise of America.”

“#WelcomeWithDignity is grateful for the leadership of Senator Leahy and Representative Lofgren to set forward solutions that would improve the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems. The introduction of the  Refugee Protection Act comes at the heels of Congress rejecting proposals to undermine the legal and human right to seek safety at the U.S. border,” said Melina Roche, #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign Manager. “We, along with our partners, stand ready to make achieve a more humane and dignified asylum system for all seeking safety.”

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The #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign is composed of more than 100 organizations committed to transforming the way the United States receives and protects people forced to flee their homes to ensure they are treated humanely and fairly. To learn more and join our campaign visit: welcomewithdignity.org