(ZENIT News / Washington, 10.02.2024).- This week, President Biden signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2025, setting the number of people who can be resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) at 125,000. While the goal remains unchanged from last year, the program resettled 100,000 refugees in 2024 — the first time that number was achieved since 1994. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates there are over 120 million forcibly displaced persons in the world, up from 24 million at the end of the twentieth century.
“My brother bishops and I could not be more grateful for the witness of faithful Catholics across our country who have, for many decades now, committed themselves to accompanying refugees as a visible sign of Christ’s love in the world,” said Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso.
Through its Department of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS), the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is one of ten national resettlement agencies partnering with the federal government on USRAP. At the local level, dioceses and their Catholic Charities agencies play an essential role in helping refugees to integrate successfully into their new communities.
Speaking as chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, Bishop Seitz added:
“Having just joined our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and the Universal Church in marking the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, what better time to give thanks to God for the reciprocal blessings exchanged through these efforts? From life-saving protection for refugee families, to the economic renewal they offer receiving communities, this is part of what it means to ‘love thy neighbor.’ Moreover, as we enter Respect Life Month, we recognize this as one of the many ways in which the consistency of the Church’s concern for the sanctity of human life manifests itself.
“Resettling 100,000 refugees is a significant achievement, given the all-time low number seen in 2021 and some of the challenges facing American communities at this time, including a nationwide shortage of affordable housing. We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the Biden Administration in recent years to reassert and grow our nation’s proud tradition of welcoming refugees. This would not be possible without the bipartisan support of Congress, which has played a vital role in the success of the resettlement program since its inception.
“Guided by the Gospel and faithful to our national values, the U.S. Catholic community will continue doing its part to carry this endeavor forward.”
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