As all of our concern grows for the children and families fleeing violence in Central America and seeking safety in the United States, the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has reprogrammed $94 million from refugee services to meet the needs of these children. Refugee services are already underfunded as it is, and these cuts are having devastating consequences for refugees and the communities that welcome them.
The Administration has requested a $3.7 billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which includes $1.83 billion for ORR in Fiscal Year 14 (FY14), which Congress must now approve. In addition, ORR will need at least $3.167 billion in FY15 to protect against any future reprogramming of refugee services funding.
Calls are needed urgently. Your Senators and Representative need to hear from you today that Congress must approve this request for additional ORR funding in FY14 so that ORR can meet the needs of both unaccompanied children and refugees.
Here’s what to tell your members of Congress:
- As your constituent in [city, state], I care about refugees, unaccompanied children and other vulnerable populations.
- I urge you to support the $1.83 billion increase for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, requested in the President’s Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year 2014.
- These funds are critical to ensure that ORR can meet the needs of both unaccompanied children and refugees, and are needed as soon as possible. ORR is facing a shortfall in FY14 and important services that help refugees and the communities that welcome them will continue to be cut unless Congress increases ORR funding this year.
- The U.S. must show leadership by protecting unaccompanied children while maintaining our commitment to refugee resettlement. Please see that ORR receives this additional $1.83 billion in FY14 and at least $3.167 billion in FY15.