RCUSA Statement to the 2025 Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways (CRCP) in Support of Resettlement on Behalf of U.S. Civil Society

Refugee Council USA, as a non-governmental organization, does not speak on behalf of the United States government. But by our presence at this meeting of resettlement and complementary pathway actors we can remind this gathering of three things:

• The longstanding role of the United States in global refugee resettlement;
• Even though the U.S. government has attempted to shut the door on resettlement, U.S. civil society and the American people continue to push to keep that door open; and
• The importance of global unity at a time where U.S. leaders are looking to isolate.

U.S. 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, and remain in strong support of the Global Compact on Refugees. The United States government, which has historically resettled the largest numbers of refugees annually, has all but shut down its refugee admissions program. According to U.S. government filings in the lawsuit of Pacito v. Trump, approximately 128,000 refugees received conditional approval notices for resettlement from the U.S. government. Those refugees are now stranded without a solution. An even higher number were referred to the U.S. by UNHCR and are also in limbo, in an even more volatile situation than before their referral to the U.S. Our greatest concern is for those at highest risk due to their disability, physical or mental health condition, unaccompanied children, and LGTBQI+ refugees facing vital challenges after significant humanitarian funding cuts. We urge UNHCR and all resettlement countries – including the United States – to continue their roles in resettlement and to continue pressing their own governments to maintain and strengthen their resettlement programs.

Faced with the crisis of a dramatic loss of resettlement places, we need to turn this crisis into an opportunity. This is the occasion to renew our collective commitment to practical, inclusive, and forward-looking strategies that ensure no refugee is left behind. The evidence is on our side for we know that, when given the opportunity, over time, resettled refugees are great contributors to those countries that welcome them.