"Refugees are individuals who have fled their countries of origin and who meet the United Nations' criteria of having a "well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." The 2008 World Refugee Survey reports that there are more than 14 million refugees worldwide....Refugees, having suffered great loss, including loss of their homes, livelihoods, possessions and oftentimes families, need assistance starting over in a new country. Their initial needs are many: food, clothing, shelter, employment, ESL, and orientation to a new community and culture."
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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"We have grave concerns about the Administration’s interim final rule, issued on July 16, 2019, that greatly limits U.S. asylum eligibility at the southern border...Not only do we believe that this rule is unlawful, but it also jeopardizes the safety of vulnerable individuals and families fleeing persecution and threatens family unity...We remind the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security that how we respond to asylum seekers arriving at our border is a test of our moral character and strongly urge the Administration to rescind this rule."
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Chair of USCCB Committee on Migration Urges Rescission of New Rule that Undermines our Asylum System and Puts Vulnerable Individuals and Families at Risk
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"Considering the current situation, welcoming means, above all, offering broader options for migrants and refugees to enter destination countries safely and legally."
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Pope Francis
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2018, 14 January 2018
(source)
"In a word, it is not only the cause of migrants that is at stake; it is not just about them, but about all of us, and about the present and future of the human family."
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Pope Francis
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2019, 29 September 2019
(source)
"The origins of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees can be traced to 1914, a few months before the outbreak of World War I. Touched by the drama of millions of Italians who had migrated abroad since the beginning of the 20th century, Pope Pius X called on all Christians to pray for migrants. "
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Vatican News
Pope shifts World Day of Migrants and Refugees to September
(source)