President Biden today issued a Proclamation on “Securing the Border,” which effectively closes the southern U.S. border to asylum seekers and other migrants. The proclamation limits and suspends the entry of any noncitizen into the United States across the southern border—unless they meet an exception—effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern daylight time on June 5, 2024. […]
Category: Headquarters
More Barriers to Asylum Access
Early this month, on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (CLP) rule, known as the asylum ban, the Biden administration announced actions to again reduce access to asylum in the United States. On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) […]
USCRI Expands Programming in Mexico
ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is pleased to announce expanded programming and the opening of its regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Aguascalientes, Mexico. These programs will focus on refugee resettlement in Mexico combined with higher education and building relationships with local universities and their communities. […]
The Refugee Response in Uganda
Uganda is Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country with more than 1.5 million refugees residing within its borders. The East African nation deploys one of the most progressive policy responses to cross-border displacement on the continent. But this response faces headwinds—from declines in international support to the rise of climate-related displacement. This brief provides an overview of […]
Starvation and Suicide: Refugees in Kenya Camps
The extreme cuts to food rations in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement in Kenya have led to deadly protests, suicides, and an inhumane situation for refugees seeking safety and protection. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) is deeply disturbed by reports it received on the current situation in the camp, which has […]
Congress Restores Access to Benefits for Thousands of Ukrainians
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) applauds Congress for its vote authorizing Ukrainians who are now arriving in the United States to receive resettlement support and other assistance. As part of a $95 billion supplemental package signed by President Biden on April 24, Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who have arrived in the United States […]
Ukrainians Left in Limbo by Congress’ Failure to Act
ARLINGTON, Virginia — Since the spring of 2022, Iryna Tkachenko has worked to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. As a refugee resettlement agency case manager in Cleveland, she meets with Ukrainians who have arrived in the area. She helps Ukrainians sign up for English classes, advises them on enrolling their children in school, and […]
USCRI Update: The Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine March 2024
“The war in Ukraine continues to inflict immeasurable human suffering, deaths and destruction, putting millions at risk of serious violations and generating grave humanitarian needs.” – UN OCHA February 24, 2024, marked two years of war in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Two years of Russia’s war in […]
USCRI Opposes Proposed Border Deal, Urges Senators to Save Asylum
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) strongly opposes the newly unveiled deal in the U.S. Senate that would dramatically curtail the right to seek asylum in exchange for unrelated foreign assistance. “USCRI unequivocally opposes proposals that would compromise the ability of the United States to offer protections for those fleeing persecution in pursuit […]
Trafficking Survivors Lost in the Funding Debate’s Asylum Stipulations
In October 2023, the Biden Administration requested emergency supplemental funding for short-term foreign aid, including support to Ukraine. This request came near the end of the month, as budget talks to fund the federal government and avoid a government shutdown recommenced with the first funding bill, or continuing resolution (CR), of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 […]
