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Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Service Announces World Refugee Day Celebrations
Across America, June 20-22.
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BALTIMORE, June 9, 2003—For
LIRS and its national network of affiliated agencies and partners,
in collaboration with churches and other agencies that share
in its work, World Refugee Day 2003, June 20, is an opportunity
to celebrate the diverse contributions of refugees in America
and around the world, to educate local communities about the
issues faced by refugees in the United States and abroad, and
to advocate for more refugee admissions in America.
A total of 31 LIRS-coordinated
events are planned in as many cities. For example, a picnic
with international foods, music and dancing in Worcester, Mass.;
dinner with African drumming and singing by Sudanese youth in
Newton, Mass., with the proceeds going to Kakuma Refugee Camp;
and a news conference to inform the public about the crisis
affecting the U.S. refugee resettlement program locally and
nationally in Tampa. Many churches plan refugee-related sermons
and bulletin inserts on June 22. Other activities include screening
and discussion of “Settling in Seattle,” a film
about four refugee youth and their new lives in America, which
was co-sponsored by LIRS; writing letters to Congress; awards
presentations; displays about services and programs; photo and
art exhibits; reunions for former refugees; and opportunities
for the public to meet refugee families and hear their stories.
(See list below for individual locations,
event details and contact information.)
“America is a nation
built by immigrants and refugees,” said LIRS President
Ralston Deffenbaugh. “We come together on World Refugee
Day to celebrate the many gifts that refugees bring to our communities—cultural
exotic foods and clothing as well as courage, hope, gratitude,
a positive work ethic, family values and diversity. As we celebrate,
we are also mindful that the traditional flow of newcomers to
our great nation has been reduced to a trickle. Families suffer
separation from loved ones. Our source of vitality to fuel our
national spirit and our economy and repopulate our cities is
threatened. We call upon members of the House of Representatives
to join the Bipartisan Congressional Refugee Caucus and to restart
America’s refugee resettlement program.”
Background
World Refugee Day, June 20, was established in 2001 by the U.N.
High Commissioner for Refugees as a time when nations around
the globe celebrate the courage and contributions of refugees,
defined by international law as people who are unable or unwilling
to return to their countries because of a well-founded fear
of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political
opinion or belonging to a particular social group.
There are approximately
13 million refugees in the world today of whom 80 percent are
women and children. Many refugees languish for years in refugee
camps with no hope for an end to their hunger and destitution.
Some refugees are able to do what all refugees yearn to do—return
to their home countries when it is safe. Others may be invited
to remain in a nearby host country to which they fled if return
to their homes is not possible. Less than one half of one percent
of the world’s refugees qualify for resettlement in a
third country such as the United States, which historically
has been the world leader in resettling refugees who truly can’t
go home.
Crisis Facing U.S. Refugee Resettlement
Program
“No one in the business of refugee resettlement foresaw
that the tragic events of September 11, 2001 would have had
such a drastic and lasting impact on refugee resettlement,”
said Deffenbaugh.
Following 9/11 the U.S. refugee resettlement
program was temporarily shut down for three months. Employees
of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service who traveled
to refugee camps to interview and screen prospective refugees
for resettlement were recalled to safer places. Some have not
yet returned to the field. The U.S. government set more stringent
standards that further limited the already small pool of refugees
eligible for resettlement. The government also imposed on the
resettlement program new security procedures that proved difficult
for them to implement. For the past two years they failed to
process even 40 percent of the admissions goal of 70,000 set
by presidential determination. In fiscal year 2001, 68,000 refugees
were admitted to the United States. In 2002 only 27,000 were
admitted. As of May 2003, nine months into the fiscal year,
only 14,369 had been admitted. The refugee flow to America has
slowed a trickle and there is no solution in sight.
Voluntary agencies and their affiliates
are partially compensated by the government for resettlement
services for actual refugee arrivals. Drastic reductions in
arrivals for such an extended time have threatened the very
existence of America’s resettlement network—voluntary
agencies and affiliates, churches and other volunteers, and
state and local social service agencies that together provide
direct service to refugees when they arrive in the United States
and assist them to become productive, self-sufficient members
of society. Recently the government approved funding to preserve
the network at a minimal level, but the crisis continues.
Many refugees already in the United
States are desperate for family members to join them here. In
the meantime, they often work two or three jobs to send money
home. Refugees granted refugee status abroad have been unable
to get final clearance to enter the United States. They wait,
impoverished, in squalid and sometimes dangerous refugee camps.
Working to ensure that the plight of
refugees is not lost in the post-September 11 climate, in April
a group of U.S. Representatives created the Bipartisan Congressional
Refugee Caucus co-chaired by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL18),
Chris Smith (R-NJ4), John Conyers (D-MI14), and Zoe Lofgren
(D-CA16). These co-chairs serve on key House committees with
jurisdiction over the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Reps.
Ros-Lehtinen and Smith both serve on the International Relations
Committee, with Rep. Smith as vice-chair. Reps. Conyers and
Lofgren both serve on the House Judiciary Committee, with Rep.
Conyers as the ranking Democrat.
“LIRS is encouraged by the caucus—an
informal group of members of Congress who share an interest
in the same policy issues—focused on refugees,”
explained Deffenbaugh. “It provides members of Congress
an opportunity to learn more about refugees and also to advocate
on their behalf.”
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
(LIRS), the U.S. Lutheran expression of service to refugees
and migrants in America, has been bringing new hope and new
life to newcomers since 1939. In partnership with a national
network of affiliates, partners, congregations and volunteers,
LIRS resettles refugees, protects unaccompanied refugee children,
advocates for fair and just treatment of asylum seekers, and
seeks alternatives to detention for those who are incarcerated
during their immigration proceedings. With initiative and sound
stewardship, LIRS seeks creative and lasting solutions to the
needs of uprooted people regardless of their race, ethnicity
or religious beliefs. The national headquarters of LIRS are
located in Baltimore.
Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service Network
World Refugee Day Events Arizona
Phoenix, June 20
Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest
Janell Mousseau | 602/248-4400, extension 118
This large collaborative event will include
booths from different regions of the world, ethnic foods,
dancing and music. Successful refugees in the Phoenix
area will be recognized. A highlight of the event will
be a simulated African refugee camp.
Colorado
Colorado Springs, June 20
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado
Dana Smith | 303/217-5854
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado will hold
an international potluck dinner to which all refugees
and volunteers from Southern Colorado are invited. An
award of recognition will be given to Susan Hillis,
from U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley’s (R-CO 5) office.
Denver, June 22
Phil Gazley | 303/217-5837
Temple talk at a local Lutheran Church, to
be determined.
Florida
Jacksonville, June 26
LIRS Ambassador Sharon Svihel | 904/313-2919
Call for details.
Tampa, June 20
Lutheran Services Florida
Joy Margolis | 813/875-1202, extension 104
A news conference hosted by Lutheran Services Florida
in collaboration with several other agencies will inform
the public about the crisis affecting the U.S. refugee
resettlement program locally and nationally.
Georgia
Atlanta, June 8, 22 and 29
Lutheran Services Georgia
Marty Mattes | 678/686-9626
Lutheran Services Georgia will invite back
sponsored refugee families for “homecomings”
in four Atlanta-area Lutheran churches on successive
weekends. Staff will give temple talks and provide information
for writing refugee crisis advocacy letters to members
of Congress.
Columbus, June 22
LIRS Ambassador Samuel Weedor | 706/689-2858
Samuel Weedor will give a temple talk at St.
Michael’s Church.
Illinois
Chicago, June 20
Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries
Sandy Krawitz | 773/989-5647, extension 35
This collaborative event will include professional
workshops for refugee service providers, educators and
policy makers and cultural programs for the public with
refugee artists and performers. Speakers will include
UNHCR representatives. 1,500 attendees expected.
Iowa
Des Moines, June 20
Lutheran Social Services of Iowa, Refugee Cooperative
Ministry
Jennifer Gibson | 515/633-3060
Iowa governor Robert Ray will host a noon-hour
celebration sponsored by LSS-IA and other agencies.
This public event will include speeches, stories from
refugee families, ethnic music, a refugee art display,
illustrative videos and informational handouts.
Maryland
Baltimore, June 20
Tressler Lutheran Refugee and Immigration Services
Jen Divis (International Rescue Committee) | 410/558-3168
Tressler will collaborate with the IRC and
other Baltimore agencies to invite local officials,
potential donors and prominent community members for
a tour of the Baltimore Resettlement Center. Several
special guests will speak and a wine and cheese reception
will follow.
Massachusetts
Newton, June 14
Lutheran Community Services of Southern New England
URM Program and St. Paul Lutheran Church
Stacey Hammerlind | 617/484-7796
St. Paul Lutheran Church, in partnership with
LCS-SNE will hold a fundraiser, including an educational
hour, refugee musical performances, dinner and a silent
auction. Proceeds will go to educational programs at
Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.
Worcester, June 22
Lutheran Community Services of Southern New England
Jozefina Lantz | 508/754-1121
LCS-SNE will hold a World Refugee Day picnic with international
music and dancing, games, a raffle and international
foods.
Michigan
Lansing, date TBD
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan Refugee Foster
Care Program
Diane Baird | 517/321-7663
LSSM will hold a community screening of Governess
Films’ “Settling in Seattle.” The
film will be followed with refreshments and a discussion.
Materials will be made available for attendees to write
their congresspeople about the refugee crisis.
Southfield, June 13
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
Dejan Dokic | 248/423-2790, extension 3101
LSSM will host a reception and luncheon for
refugees and elected officials to honor U.S. Rep. John
Conyers (D-MI14) for his pivotal role in creating the
Bi-partisan Refugee Caucus in the House of Representatives.
Minnesota
Pelican Rapids, June 21
Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
Diane Kim | 218/863-2252
LSS-MN will hold their annual “Many Cultures,
One Community” festival with ethnic foods and
music, crafts and an exhibit of photographs and stories.
The outdoor, public event will also include a citizenship
ceremony.
Nebraska
Omaha, date TBD
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
Helen Evans | 402/346-6100
Call for details.
New Jersey
Newark, June 20
Interfaith Refugee Action Team—Elizabeth
Geri and Charlie Mulligan | 973/760-3616
IRAT-E will sponsor a photo exhibit on detainees
at 3 (or 4) sites in the NY/NJ area. A press conference
will be held on June 20 at the Newark site. A formal
opening will be held the week before with a showcase
of poetry, dance, and music.
Trenton, June 20
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey
Elizabeth Morley | 609/393-4900, extension 12
LSM-NJ will co-host a World Refugee Day celebration
with LINKS Inc. of Bucks County, Pa. Several Refugee
speakers and performers will be featured and ethnic
food will be served.
New York
New York City, June 20
Forgotten Refugees Campaign participant
Satish Moorthy | 773/991-1153
This collaborative event will bring together
refugees, service providers, policymakers, activists,
artists, international groups, teachers and others to
celebrate the contributions of refugee youth and explore
critical refugee/asylum issues. A resource guide will
be distributed.
Staten Island, TBD
Lutheran Family and Community Services
Can Le | 212/265-1826
Call for details.
Utica, June 26
Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees
Julie Rosicky | 315/738-1083
This celebration will feature ethnic food and
music from all over the world. Several former refugees
resettled in Utica will be invited to tell their stories.
North Carolina
Greensboro, date TBD
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas
Jessica Loung | 336/378-7881
LFSC will host a refugee cook fest at the Welcome
House—a temporary housing facility for newly arrived
refugees. The outdoor event will feature ethnic cuisine,
entertainment and information sharing.
Raleigh, June 21
Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas
Anna Idilbi | 919/861-2812
LFS/Carolinas will invite all refugees, volunteers,
co-sponsors and staff to join in a parade through Moore
Square in downtown Raleigh, which will culminate in
a picnic and musical performance. The artwork of refugee
children will be displayed at the festivities.
North Dakota
Fargo, June 20-22
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Center for
New Americans
Amy Dobler | 701/271-3274
On June 20 LSS/North Dakota will host a press
conference, reading a proclamation from Fargo Mayor
Bruce Furness and sharing stories of refugee successes
from the past year. On June 21 LSS/North Dakota will
host a community celebration highlighting the five regions
around the world from which refugees in Fargo have come.
Each hour will be designated to a region, featuring
a refugee speaker from that region, cultural activities,
performances, information and foods. On June 22 area
churches will use World Refugee Day bulletin inserts
and host temple talks by staff from LSS/North Dakota.
South Dakota
Sioux Falls, June 22
Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota
Leah Kreykes | 605/731-2006
LSS/South Dakota will host a community-wide
festival of cultures. Call for further details.
Texas
Houston, June 22
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
Sheena Trotter-Dennis | 713/533-4982
Former refugees and their families, new arrivals,
volunteers, sponsors and staff will come together for
an evening of food, music, arts and crafts, and speeches
of appreciation. Refugee scholarship recipients will
be formally recognized.
Virginia
Falls Church, June 21
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Marina Amat | 703/698-5026
LSS/National Capitol Area will host a free
luncheon featuring refugee speakers, a raffle for prizes
and activities for children.
Washington
Silvana, June 22
LIRS Ambassador Sharon Daoura | gdaoura@msn.com
Sharon Daoura will set up a display for Peace
Lutheran Church and give a temple talk during the 10
a.m. worship service.
Wisconsin
Oregon, June 22
LIRS Ambassador Pastor Clint Schnekloth
Pastor Schnekloth
will give a refugee-related sermon and use a World Refugee
Day bulletin insert with his congregation at St. John’s
Lutheran Church.
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