Ahead of a new refugee ceiling, the National Association of Evangelicals joined other Christian organizations in a letter to President Biden and Members of Congress to set the refugee ceiling at 125,000 again and to work to reach that goal.

Galen Carey, NAE vice president of government relations, said, “Since 1980, the refugee resettlement program has been the crown jewel of American humanitarianism. The United States has offered lifesaving protection and renewed hope to more than three million courageous human beings who are now valued members of our communities. But more urgently needs to be done. President Biden has articulated a compelling vision; now his administration must surge the processing capacity necessary to make this inspiring vision a reality for refugees whose lives are still on hold.”

Despite a cap of 125,000 in the current fiscal year, the United States is on track to receive fewer than 25,000 refugees. 

The letter affirms the ceiling of 125,000 refugee admissions while also noting that setting a relatively high refugee ceiling is insufficient on its own. Despite a cap of 125,000 in the current fiscal year, which ends next week, the United States is on track to receive fewer than 25,000 refugees. Although the Biden administration utilized other legal avenues to admit many Afghans and Ukrainians who have fled persecution in the past year, the leaders call on the administration and Congress to rebuild the formal refugee resettlement process and develop “processes nimble enough to respond to emerging crises as well as protracted refugee situations.”

The letter urges the administration to increase refugee resettlement, while also affirming the importance of ensuring due process for those who seek asylum at the border. We believe that rebuilding the U.S. refugee resettlement program is deeply connected to the biblical call to love the stranger and foreigner residing among us (Leviticus 19:34).

Read the Letter