Immediate Release
September 30, 2019
Media Contact:
Janine Walsh, FAN Communications Coordinator
(203) 685-1856 | walsh@franciscanaction.org

Franciscans Appalled by Trump Administration Decision to Admit 18,000 Refugees in FY20

Washington, D.C. – Last week, the Trump Administration announced it intends to cap the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the U.S. at an all-time low of just 18,000 for the 2020 fiscal year. As Franciscan Action Network (FAN) continues to advocate for refugees, we are appalled by this decision and again remind our leaders that it is directly opposed to the teachings of Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi.

“While the announcement was not a shock due to the administration’s increasingly anti-immigrant and anti-refugee policies, it was deeply disappointing for refugees, their advocates, and deals a significant blow to our country’s image as a beacon of hope for those compelled to seek refuge from violence and persecution in their home countries,” declared FAN’s executive director, Patrick Carolan.

The morning after this inhumane goal was issued, members of the FAN staff joined other advocates at the White House to express outrage at this cruel, unAmerican, declaration. The protesters then marched to the Trump hotel where they promised to continue the struggle with and for refugees before a symbolic removal of chains from five human Statues of Liberty and a closing prayer.

During his message for World Day for Migrants and Refugees on September 29th, Pope Francis denounced “the globalization of indifference” and said “a painful truth” is that “our world is daily more and more elitist, more cruel towards the excluded.” He strongly urged Catholics and others of good faith to speak up in defense of refugees. The Pope made it clear that this is not only about refugees but about ourselves. FAN urges all its members and friends, especially communities of faith, to speak out against this deplorable goal of 18,000 refugee admissions in 2020, considering there were 65.6 million refugees worldwide in 2017. As Catholics and as Christians the Pope calls on us to use our resources to help those in need: especially refugees who are escaping war and persecution.

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