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REPS LIEU, NEGUSE, DIAZ-BALART AND LOFGREN HONOR WORLD REFUGEE DAY WITH HOUSE RESOLUTION

June 20, 2019

WASHINGTON – Today, on World Refugee Day, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution introduced by Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) , reaffirming U.S. commitment to the protection of refugees and displaced persons. Rep. Lieu introduced a similar bill in the 114th and 115th Congresses.

"On World Refugee Day, we renew our commitment to showing compassion and support for those forced to flee their homes," said Congressman Ted Lieu. "Refugees are fleeing home because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. The United States resettlement program is critical to global humanitarian efforts. These efforts serve to strengthen global security, advance United States foreign policy goals, and support regional host countries while also serving individuals and families in need.

"The United States has long welcomed those who seek safety and refuge in trying times." said Congressman Joe Neguse. "On World Refugee Day, I'm proud to lead on this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to reaffirm the United States commitment to promote the safety, health, education and well-being of refugees around the world."

"On World Refugee Day, I am pleased to co-sponsor a bipartisan resolution that reaffirms the United States' commitment to help in protecting those who flee their homes in search of safety," said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.

"On this day, we recognize refugees because their courage inspires us, their presence enriches us, and their struggles motivate us to be the nation we were founded to be," said Congresswoman Lofgren. "If the United States is to meet its promise as a nation of freedom and hope, then we cannot turn our backs on the world's most vulnerable persons."

Facts about Refugees in the U.S.:

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

In 2018, there were more than 70.8 million displaced persons worldwide. This includes nearly 26 million refugees, over 41 million internally displaced persons, and 3.5 million people seeking asylum. To put it another way, in 2018, 37,000 people being displaced from their homes each day. Half of those refugees were children.

Sixty-seven percent of all refugees in 2018 came from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. Despite the severity of this crisis, only 92,000 refugees were resettled in 2018, and 84 percent of all refugees were hosted by developing nations,

In 2018, the United States resettled only 22,000 refugees compared to the 85,000 resettled in 2016.

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