|| LIRS || Save the U.S. Refugee Program! -- Refugee Caucus Letter

Ask Your Representative to Join the Refugee Caucus

Working to ensure that the plight of refugees is not lost in the post-September 11 climate, a group of U.S. Representatives formed the Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus in April 2003. The caucus' four co-chairs sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to all House members, inviting them to join the caucus and affirm "the United States' leadership and commitment to the protection, humanitarian needs, and compassionate treatment of refugees."

Write...
Please use the letter below to ask your representative to become a caucus member and work to increase the number of refugees being resettled in the United States. To ensure your letter arrives quickly, consider faxing your letter. Enter your ZIP code in the light blue box on the right to find your representative's fax number.

If convenient, please send a copy of your letter to
     Lynette Engelhardt Stott
     LIRS Director for Government Relations
     122 C Street, NW, Suite 125
     Washington DC 20001
     Fax: 202/783-7502

...or Call
Dial the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative's office. Or enter your ZIP code in the light blue box on the right to find your representative's direct contact information. Ask your representative to become a founding caucus member and work to increase the number of refugees being resettled in the United States.

View letter in editable MS Word format for convenient personalization.

The Honorable [representative's full name]
United States House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515

[Your return address]
[Date]

Dear Representative [representative's last name]:

I am writing to urge you to join the House of Representatives’ Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus. The Refugee Caucus seeks to focus attention on the plight of the world’s 13 million refugees, reverse the recent decline in the U.S. government’s traditional commitment to welcoming refugees, and help to protect and assist refugees in camps overseas. The Refugee Caucus is being co-chaired by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL18), Chris Smith (R-NJ04), John Conyers (D-MI14), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA16). There are currently over 60 members of the caucus.

The United States has a proud tradition of offering refuge and sanctuary to people fleeing religious and political persecution. Every year, a limited number of carefully screened refugees enter the United States through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program. They work hard and become productive residents of our states’ cities and towns.

Unfortunately, the resettlement program is in serious jeopardy. Refugee resettlement has slowed to a trickle. The need for congressional leadership on the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program is great.

Overseas, the U.S. commitment to refugee protection and assistance has also declined. The U.N. refugee agency has been forced to curtail programs that provide refugees food, water, health care and education. Dozens of U.S. relief groups have had to cut their services to refugees because of lack of funds. For example, programs to prevent sexual and gender-based violence against female refugees have been curtailed despite investigations this year pointing to the persistent problem of violence and exploitation committed against refugee women and girls.

Please help the United States maintain its proud tradition of helping victims of religious and political persecution overseas and welcoming refugees who contribute positively to our country and our economy.

As your constituent, I sincerely urge you to become a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus. Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your printed name]

Page last modified February 16, 2005.