Washington, DC | www.adc.org | March 28, 2016 – This month, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4731, the “Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act,” out of committee. As House Leadership decides whether to bring this bill to the House floor for a vote, it is critical that they hear from everyone who supports refugee resettlement. We must stop them from even considering bringing H.R.4731 to a vote by the full House.
H.R.4731 would drastically reduce and cap refugee admissions, place refugees under continual surveillance after they have arrived and create new procedures that would significantly, and potentially indefinitely, delay resettlement for many refugees whose lives are in danger, including Syrians and Iraqis. It would allow state and local governments who “disapprove” of refugees to veto resettlement in their localities. Under the guise of prioritizing religious minorities from countries of particular concern, H.R. 4731 could effectively prevent refugees from being resettled. It would keep refugees from adjusting to Lawful Permanent Residency until they have been here for three years (as opposed to one, as it is now), which would delay family reunification and integration opportunities. The bill would also revoke the refugee status of any refugee who returns to their country of origin to visit loved ones or rebuild their communities.
Call House leadership TODAY: Urge them to STOP this anti-refugee bill
• Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1): (202) 225-0600 / @SpeakerRyan
• Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23): 202-225-4000 / @GOPLeader
• Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA-1): (202) 225-0197 / @SteveScalise
• Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5): (202) 225-5107 /@housegop
• Policy Committee Chair Luke Messer (R-IN-6): (202) 225-3021/@RepLukeMesser
What to say when you call: “I support refugee resettlement, and I urge the Representative to STOP H.R.4731, The “Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act” from coming up for a vote. This bill runs counter to the humanitarian leadership of the United States and the welcome of the American people. Please oppose H.R.4731 and don’t bring this bill up for a vote.”