On World Refugee Day, U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chair Calls For Support And Resettlement Of Syrian, Other Refugees Fleeing War And Persecution

WASHINGTON—Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, marked June 20,World Refugee Day, by calling for U.S. support and resettlement of vulnerablerefugee populations across the world, including Syrians fleeing conflict intheir country.

"Theconflict in Syria is worsening and it is time for the United States and theinternational community to do more to respond to the needs of Syrians fleeingtheir country for safety," Archbishop Gomez said.

ArchbishopGomez added that particularly vulnerable Syrians should be considered forresettlement to the United States and other countries, such as vulnerable womenwith children, the elderly and disabled, and unaccompanied refugee children.

"Resettlementto a safe third country should be considered, both to provide the best durablesolution for vulnerable Syrians but also to take pressure off of neighboringcountries, such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan," Archbishop Gomez said.

Todate, the United States has resettled only 24 Syrian refugees.

ArchbishopGomez referred to other refugee populations worldwide in need of support andpossible resettlement, including Rohingya Burmese in Bangladesh, Malaysia andThailand; Congolese in East and Southern Africa; and Afghans who are fleeing toTurkey and other areas of the world. "We have an obligation to help thesevulnerable populations," he said, "including and especially the most vulnerablerefugees: unaccompanied minors and those that have become victims of humantrafficking."

"Sadly,there continues to be no shortage of refugees in need of the world's attentionand support," Archbishop Gomez concluded."As the world's leader in protecting refugees, the United States must domore to respond to humanitarian crises in and around Syria and other parts ofthe globe."

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Keywords:World Refugee Day, Committee on Migration, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,USCCB, Archbishop José H. Gomez, refugees, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan,Burmese, Congolese, humanitarian

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