MRS > Migration Policy and Public Affair Office > Fiscal Year 2003 Presidential Determination on Refugees
Statement of Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski
Auxiliary Bishop of Miami
Chairman, U.S. Catholic Bishops" Committee on Migration
October 22, 2002
The U.S. Catholic bishops have traditionally defended the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers to seek protection in the United States. Indeed, our nation was founded as a safe haven for individuals and groups who were fleeing religious and political persecution in their homelands. Since its founding, the United States of America has represented a beacon of hope and freedom to the oppressed of the world and has welcomed millions of persons seeking safety and the preservation of their basic human rights.
It is in this context that the U.S. bishops are deeply concerned and disappointed with the recently released annual "Presidential Determination," which establishes the number of refugees that the United States will admit in any new fiscal year. In the determination for fiscal year 2003, which began October 1, President Bush has allowed for a refugee admission total of 70,000, with 20,000 of that total unallocated to an area of the world and available only under unforeseen circumstances.
We find the 70,000 refugee admissions total authorized by the President unacceptable, particularly in light of the fact that more than 14 million refugees continue to languish in camps and poor urban areas around the world. Even more disturbing is that only 50,000 of the number authorized have been allocated, indicating a lack of commitment on the part of the Administration to meet the authorized limit of 70,000.
We are troubled foremost by the refugee limit set by the President because it represents a retreat from our nation"s long-standing commitment to the protection of refugees. Our deep concern is compounded by the fact that the United States admitted just over 27,000 of the 70,000 refugees authorized for fiscal year 2002. This continues an alarming downward trend over the past decade in the number of refugees admitted to the United States and signals a gradual abdication of U.S. world leadership in refugee protection.
As pastors, we understand the responsibility government leaders have toward ensuring the national security of the public and support many of the security measures implemented in the refugee program since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, steps can and should be taken to expedite the admissions process in a manner that preserves our security while honoring traditional refugee admissions levels.
In addition, the U.S. State Department and other federal agencies should redouble their efforts at identifying and resettling vulnerable refugees"especially women and children"around the world in need of protection. The U.S. bishops, Catholic organizations overseas, and Catholic diocesan programs here in the United States stand ready to work with government officials to establish the infrastructure, both at home and abroad, necessary to accomplish this goal.
For the past several decades, the U.S. refugee program has been a model of public-private cooperation dedicated to the goal of saving the lives of vulnerable refugees around the world. In the best interests of protecting human life, we must return to the spirit of cooperation which for years has been a hallmark of the program. We call upon our government officials to work with us to admit 70,000 refugees in fiscal year 2003 and to put in place the infrastructure to expand refugee admissions in the future. Only by working together in good faith can government and voluntary organizations restore health to the refugee program and preserve our nation"s tradition as a safe haven for the persecuted.