Reach out to Gov. Abbott and your State Representatives and ask them to make public statements of welcome to refugees.
On January 10th, Governor Abbott announced his decision to end refugee resettlement in Texas this fiscal year, a cruel and immoral decision that shocked the conscience. This decision came after the administration signed an executive order in September 2019 that permitted states and localities to block resettlement in their communities. However, on January 15, a federal court issued a ruling that allows refugee resettlement to continue in all states, including Texas.
Right now is a critical time to call Governor Abbott and your state lawmakers – and urge them to come out in support of welcoming refugees in Texas. Here are the top two ways to take action today:
(1) Call Governor Abbott at (512) 463-2000
Please leave a voicemail after the tone.
Sample Script: “I’m your constituent, and [as a person of faith/business leader/parent etc.], I ask you to support refugee resettlement in Texas. Texas has a longstanding history of welcoming refugees and helping them reunify with their families and loved ones. A rejection of refugees is not what the state of Texas wants or needs – faith leaders, employers, and elected officials have noted that ending resettlement will devastate communities who rely on the workforce and contributions of new arrivals. My community in Texas welcomes refugees, and I urge you to reflect these moral values.”
(2) Contact Your State Representative and Senator
Urge state legislators to make statements of welcome for refugees in Texas
Here is how to contact your state legislators:
Sample Script: “Hello, my name is [NAME], I am from [TOWN], and my zip code is [ZIP CODE]. As your constituent, I want you to know that my community supports refugees resettlement in our state. Texas has a longstanding history of welcoming refugees and helping them reunify with their families and loved ones. While Executive Order 13888 – which permitted states and localities to end resettlement in our communities – has been blocked by court intervention, Governor’s Abbott’s hostility to refugees still does not represent Texan values. I ask that you make a statement in support of refugee resettlement. Thank you.”
Thank you for taking action, and please share this alert with your friends, family, and networks!
Washington, DC - Beginning Monday morning, advocates and allies across the country will be blacking out their social media profiles to demonstrate their support of refugees and their condemnation of the Trump Administration’s attacks against refugee resettlement.
On September 26, the administration announced a new executive order that could give states and localities the ability to ban refugees from being resettled in their communities, and announced a proposed Presidential Determination (PD) of 18,000. These two changes will leave thousands of refugees in harm’s.
In addition to blacking out their social media profiles, participants will be signing a petition asking Members of Congress to support the GRACE Act (S. 1088/H.R. 2146) and to share their support of refugees and refugee resettlement.
Protesters wearing life vests will risk arrest in solidarity with refugees and in opposition to the administration’s dismantlement of the refugee resettlement program.
Participants will assemble in front of the Capitol at Constitution and First St. NE on October 15th at 1:00 PM.
WHAT: Protest and Responding to Decimation of Refugee Resettlement
WHERE: Capitol Lawn Area 9, Constitution and First St NE
WHEN: Tuesday, October 15th at 1:00 PM
DETAILS: 18 protestors will wear life vests as a symbol of this life-saving program and the 18,000 cap set by the Trump administration – the lowest in the history of the program. 95 protesters will hold photographs of refugees, a nod to the historic average refugee cap of 95,000. Faith leaders will have clergy collars and stoles.
The Trump Administration issued an executive order that potentially gives states and municipalities the authority to disallow refugees entry into their communities. Our current resettlement policies ensure strong, active partnerships between state and local communities and resettlement agencies, making this executive order unnecessary.
We need our communities to rally in support of refugees, and ask their state and local elected officials to continue welcoming refugees. Please use this toolkit to for talking points, actions, and social media materials.