Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Albany/Capital District Office
Leo W. O’Brien Federal Office Building
11A Clinton Avenue,
Room 821
Albany, NY 12207

Dear Senator Gillibrand,

I am writing to express my concern about the global refugee crisis and to urge you to help the United States lead the global community in effectively addressing the crisis.

There are currently at least 60 million refugee and displaced persons worldwide. 19.5 million of them have sought sanctuary outside of their home countries. All countries have an obligation not to send refugees back into harm’s way.

Unfortunately most countries that have the best capacity host refugees still treat them as if they were somebody else’s problem, leaving poorer countries to host an incredible 86% of global refugee population.

The lack of leadership and political will to respond to this crisis is a part of the problem. Funding for refugee resettlement programs is inadequate and resettlement programs in many countries takes too long, leaving refugees at grave risk. The U.S. resettlement program is a sad example of this.

President Obama’s announcement that the United States would increase the number of asylum seekers from the Middle East that are granted asylum is too little and too focused on just one region.

We are a country of immigrants and refugees. A country that in its finest moments has tried to help others in need. That spirit is needed now more than ever.

I urge you to speak out and take action by:

  • calling for an increase in the overall number of refugees that are resettled in the United States, initially starting with a focus on populations at the greatest risk;
  • increasing support and funding for countries hosting refugees; and
  • streamlining the U.S. resettlement program so that is does not take so long

Thank you for your immediate attention to this heartbreaking crisis.

Sincerely,

Senator Charles Schumer

11A Clinton Avenue,
Room 420
Albany, NY 12207

Dear Senator Schumer,

I am writing to express my concern about the global refugee crisis and to urge you to help the United States lead the global community in effectively addressing the crisis.

There are currently at least 60 million refugee and displaced persons worldwide. 19.5 million of them have sought sanctuary outside of their home countries. All countries have an obligation not to send refugees back into harm’s way.

Unfortunately most countries that have the best capacity host refugees still treat them as if they were somebody else’s problem, leaving poorer countries to host an incredible 86% of global refugee population.

The lack of leadership and political will to respond to this crisis is a part of the problem. Funding for refugee resettlement programs is inadequate and resettlement programs in many countries takes too long, leaving refugees at grave risk. The U.S. resettlement program is a sad example of this.

President Obama’s announcement that the United States would increase the number of asylum seekers from the Middle East that are granted asylum is too little and too focused on just one region.

We are a country of immigrants and refugees. A country that in its finest moments has tried to help others in need. That spirit is needed now more than ever.

I urge you to speak out and take action by:

  • calling for an increase in the overall number of refugees that are resettled in the United States, initially starting with a focus on populations at the greatest risk;
  • increasing support and funding for countries hosting refugees; and
  • streamlining the U.S. resettlement program so that is does not take so long

Thank you for your immediate attention to this heartbreaking crisis.

Sincerely,