Sec. 2. Findings
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Congress makes the following findings: In 2019, the world is in the midst of the worst global displacement crisis in history, with more than 70,800,000 forcibly displaced persons, including 25,900,000 refugees worldwide, over half of whom are children, according to estimates from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2018, less than 5 percent of global resettlement needs were met despite there being 1,400,000 refugees in need of third-country resettlement. The United States refugee admissions program is a life-saving solution that— is critical to global humanitarian efforts; strengthens global security; leverages United States foreign policy interests, including diplomatic and strategic interests of supporting allies who often host a significant and disproportionate share of refugees per capita; stabilizes sensitive regions impacted by forced migration by ensuring that the United States shares responsibility for global refugee protection; leverages refugee resettlement in the United States to encourage other countries to uphold the human rights of refugees, including by ensuring that refugees— have the right to work, the right to an education, and freedom of movement; and are not returned to a place in which their life or freedom is at risk; serves individuals and families in need of resettlement; provides economic and cultural benefits to cities, States, and the United States as a whole; and aligns with the international obligations of the United States, including under— the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, done at Geneva July 28, 1951 (as made applicable by the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done at New York January 31, 1967 (19 UST 6223)), of which the United States is a party; the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done at New York December 10, 1984, of which the United States is a party; the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, done at New York September 28, 1954; and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, done at New York August 30, 1961.
The United States has historically been, and should continue to be, a global leader in— responding to displacement crises around the world, including through the provision of robust humanitarian support; promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons; welcoming asylum seekers who seek safety and protecting other at-risk migrants, including survivors of torture, victims of trafficking, and stateless people; and working alongside other countries to strengthen protection systems and support.
The United States has steadily reduced— access to asylum protection through administrative policy and programmatic changes, including policies and operational decisions aimed at reducing or stopping the ability of asylum seekers to access the United States border; and the resettlement of refugees, by way of two consecutive historically low annual refugee admissions goals after nearly 45 years during which the average annual United States refugee admissions goal was over 95,000 individuals.
Refugees are— the most vetted travelers to enter the United States; and subject to extensive screening checks, including in-person interviews, biometric data checks, and multiple interagency checks. For the sake of refugees, asylum seekers, other migrants, United States national diplomatic and strategic interests, and local communities that benefit from the presence of refugees, asylees, and other migrants, it is crucial for the United States to better protect refugees and asylum seekers through reforms, including— asylum reforms that ensure due process; reforms to border migration enforcement, management, and adjudication systems that integrate stronger protection of, and ensure due process for, asylum seekers, children, victims of trafficking, stateless people, and other migrants, including— community-based alternatives to detention for asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants; improved detention conditions; an emphasis on fairness in the arrest and adjudication process; increased access to legal information and representation; and a stronger commitment to child welfare in staffing and processes; and refugee reforms that— ensure at least the historical average annual refugee admissions goal; prevent refugee policy that discriminates based on race or religion; improve opportunities for refugees to achieve family unity; and update and strengthen support for refugees and the communities that welcome refugees.
The people of the United States, and communities across the United States, overwhelmingly support refugees and asylum seekers, including people of faith, members of the Armed Forces, veterans, elected officials, and retired high-ranking officials.