refugees
Retired U.S. Marine, Afghanistan veteran and North Carolina-based writer Worth Parker
Retired U.S. Marine, Afghanistan veteran and North Carolina-based writer Worth Parker on the desperate need for Congressional action to aid Afghans who put their lives on the line for Americans during our country’s decades-long occupation
Immediate action is needed to aid Afghans who put their lives on the line for Americans
U.S. Marine vet from North Carolina: Congress should pass the Afghan Adjustment Act ASAP More than a year ago, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, I concluded twenty-seven years of uniformed service. I spent more than a year of my life in Afghanistan, serving in special operations, a fact only relevant because it brought me into close contact with members of the Afghan National Security Forces and Afghan civilian interpreters.
New plan for Venezuelan migrants will accept some into the U.S., send others to Mexico
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Wednesday night announced new guidelines for Venezuelan migrants, under which some will have a pathway to temporary residence in the United States and others who crossed the border without authorization will be sent back to Mexico. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced an agreement between Mexico […]
U.S. to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, levy more sanctions on Russia
WASHINGTON — The White House announced a wave of new sanctions against Russia on Thursday while pledging to send more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and welcome up to 100,000 refugees. The new economic restrictions on Russia and billions more in aid for Ukrainians were detailed as President Joe Biden huddled with North Atlantic Treaty Organization […]
Pressure ramps up to halt Trump-era policy that expels migrants at the border
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats and immigration advocates are pushing the White House to end a controversial Trump-era immigration policy enacted during the pandemic that allowed U.S. officials to expel migrants and asylum seekers at the border. “I continue to be disappointed, deeply disappointed, in the administration’s response,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York […]
Weekend thoughts from Celia Rivenbark: Not a time for humor
Yulia arrived at our house with an enormous box of the finest Ukrainian chocolates. Biting into one I realized this was next level, like comparing the tiny striped burgers in a can of chunky soup to a filet from Ruth’s Chris. This Ukranian exchange student would always be welcome in our home. I’ve been thinking […]
U.S. military has left Afghanistan; evacuation of Americans and Afghans moves into next phase
WASHINGTON — Even as the last military planes left Kabul, members of Congress were still trying to facilitate the evacuations of more Americans and Afghans. Reps. Jason Crow (D-Co.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) are leading efforts to supply names and contacts of Afghans who helped the U.S. in the last 20 years […]
Settled into new homes, refugees in U.S. say they are working for a better life for all
Violence, persecution and wars amid a global pandemic added to the growing number of displaced persons around the world last year. The United Nations reports that 11.2 million people were displaced from their homelands in 2020, bringing the total number of displaced persons in the world to 82.4 million. Of those forced to flee their homes, 1.4 million had to leave their country.
Trump’s latest immigration proposal: Short on details and endorsements
President Trump revealed a new immigration proposal on Thursday afternoon. In a speech in the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced his plan to boost “merit-based” immigration, which he says would “transform America’s immigration system into the pride of our nation and the envy of the modern world.” His plan focused mostly on legal immigration, […]
Trump administration sets a historically low ceiling for refugee admissions
Last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the maximum number of refugee admissions for the next fiscal year has been set at 30,000. Breaking even last year’s historic low, this ceiling cap sets a new low and further restricts humanitarian aid to a growing number of displaced people seeking safety from violence and persecution. […]
Trump administration turning its back on refugees, a moral and economic failure
The Trump administration is following through on its threat to bar America’s doors against people fleeing violence and persecution. Trump’s cruel words are matched with devastating deeds, snuffing out America’s light of liberty in many corners of the world. A new report from the Fiscal Policy Institute shows how dramatically refugee resettlement has declined on […]