Refugee Council USA Reaffirms Commitment to Refugee Resettlement and Civil Society’s Vital Role in Global Efforts

Madrid, Spain – This week, the Working Group on Resettlement & Complementary Pathways convenes in Madrid. The event, which gathers UNHCR, UN Member States, academia, NGOs, and refugees to discuss and advance refugee resettlement practices worldwide, is part of the annual Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways process. 

At today’s opening plenary, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) Executive Director John Slocum delivered the following statement:

“Refugee Council USA, as a non-governmental organization, does not speak on behalf of the United States government. But by our presence at this working group meeting, we can remind this gathering of the longstanding leadership role of the United States in refugee resettlement; the essential role of civil society in the US resettlement system; and the continued willingness and commitment of US civil society and the American people to welcome refugees.

US civil society, and the people of the United States, remain dedicated to providing safety, welcome, and opportunity to those fleeing persecution and violence through refugee resettlement and complementary pathways. Just as we look forward to the eventual resumption of resettlement to the United States, RCUSA encourages our civil society counterparts to continue their roles in resettlement and to continue pressing their own governments to maintain and strengthen their own resettlement programs.

RCUSA encourages our own state and local governments, and local government authorities around the world, to continue to welcome and support refugees and other newcomers. We also support the CRCP process, and the crucially important role of meaningful refugee participation in the international policy arena as well in national-level policy processes.”

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. This statement does not necessarily reflect the views of each individual RCUSA member organization.

Media contact: Mariam Sayeed, msayeed@rcusa.org