WHEATON, IL — Upon learning the Trump Administration announced plans to reduce the cap on refugees admitted into the country, Congressman Peter Roskam joined with community leaders and residents in Illinois’ Sixth District to voice opposition.
“Thousands of refugees cross our borders in hopes of safety from the dangers and devastation of their home countries and an opportunity to create a better a life for them and their families,” said Roskam. “In the United States, the American dream is inclusive and strengthened by people of diverse backgrounds. I’m calling on the Trump Administration to reverse their decision to lower the cap on refugees allowed into the country. This drastic reduction will alter the lives of thousands who have traveled great lengths to seek help and refuge from the United States.”
Roskam is facing a tough challenge for re-election in a district that voted for Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016. Roskam has been facing criticism from Democrat activists for aligning often with the president.
Made public this week, the Administration moved to lower the cap of refugee admissions from 45,000 to 30,000 refugees in 2019, a significant 33-percent reduction.
“I am fully committed to securing our borders and fixing our immigration system. It’s important to recognize that those issues are not synonymous with slamming our doors on refugees. Turning away refugees fleeing persecution, violence and trauma is not the solution and does not reflect the values our nation was founded on or the values of the communities I represent,” said Roskam.
The Sixth Congressional District is home to many organizations and religious institutions that work with and advocate for refugees. For decades, local nonprofit World Relief has provided key services and built a sense of community for refugees and immigrants living within DuPage and Kane Counties.
“The U.S. refugee resettlement program has been a literal lifeline for many of the most vulnerable people in our world, including Christians and others persecuted for their faith, individuals targeted by terrorists because they served alongside U.S. military personnel and families who have been trapped for generations in refugee camps,” said World Relief Executive Director Susan Sperry. “More than 10,000 refugees have arrived in DuPage County since World Relief began the resettlement in 1979, welcomed by local churches, community groups and volunteers. They have become an integral part of our local community and economy.”
“The historically low national refugee resettlement cap of just 30,000 announced this week will inherently mean far fewer of these vulnerable people will find safety, religious freedom and a new home in suburban Chicago, and that our community—which for decades has eagerly welcomed and helped integrate refugees—will have far fewer opportunities to do so,” Sperry continued. “My hope and prayer is that President Trump will reconsider this proposal, and we’re thankful to Representative Roskam for speaking up on behalf of vulnerable refugees.”
