UMCOR backs legislation for refugees, immigrants
8/17/2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York
NEW YORK (UMNS) -- United Methodists are being called upon to support proposed congressional legislation that would benefit refugees and immigrants.
The biggest concern is that fewer refugees are being admitted to the United States, according to Lilia Fernandez, executive secretary for refugees with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). "As the number of refugees increases, we are admitting less and less," she said.
While 90,000 refugees were authorized for admittance this year, that total could drop as low as 76,000 under the final 2001 budget proposal from the Clinton administration, according to UMCOR. The Senate also has reduced funding for migration and refugee assistance.
African refugees will be hit hardest by these proposals, Fernandez said. But even if the United States decided to allow 100,000 refugees annually, it would be only "a drop in the bucket" of those seeking a new home. Still, she added, "they represent human beings languishing in refugee camps. Many of them have relatives here and churches ready to sponsor them."
UMCOR is asking United Methodists to support proposed congressional legislation that would fund Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) for $700 million and Emergency Migration and Refugee Assistance (EMRA) for $20 million. The legislation also would increase admissions to 100,000, ensure adequate refugee assistance overseas, especially in Africa, and provide funds for refugee emergencies that require swift action.
Members can support the measure by writing or calling their senators or representatives, and organizing letter-writing campaigns.
Efforts also are under way to restore food stamp eligibility to legal immigrants, many of whom lost those benefits under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. Church members are being asked to advocate for the Hunger Relief Act, introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., in the Senate (S. 1805) and Rep. James T. Walsh, R-N.Y., in the House (H.R. 3192). The act would allow legal immigrants to receive food stamps based on need rather than immigration status. Currently excluded from food stamps are immigrants arriving after Aug. 22, 1996, elderly people under 65 and most non-elderly adults, regardless of when they entered the United States.
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