New IRC analysis of US Refugee Resettlement shows vastly reduced arrivals at a time of record global need and consistent popular support; Refugees targeted by country-of-origin, Muslim arrivals facing sharpest decline
NEW YORK, June 18, 2019 – The International Rescue Committee (IRC) released an analysis today outlining the continued deep cuts to the US refugee admissions program and their resulting impact on the world’s most vulnerable: those in desperate need of protection, families seeking reunification, and people whose lives are at risk for their support of U.S. missions abroad.
While global resettlement needs have increased 17 percent from 2018 to 2019, the US cut its annual admissions ceiling by one-third, to a historic low of just 30,000. Led by the US, there has been a nearly 50 percent decline in global resettlement slots, even as host countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, and Ethiopia have seen their refugee populations swell. In fact, just 10 countries which make up fewer than 3 percent of the world’s GDP, host more than half the world’s refugees. The richest and most powerful country on Earth should not be turning its back on the world’s most vulnerable people.
“This World Refugee Day, we recognize the unparalleled success story of the U.S. refugee admissions program: saving and rebuilding lives, demonstrating America’s compassion and solidarity with those who are unjustly persecuted, and enriching America’s economy.” Said Hans Van de Weerd, Vice President, Resettlement, Asylum and Integration at the International Rescue Committee.
“American humanitarian leadership has previously spurred a race to the top in meeting humanitarian obligations; today it leads a race to the bottom. Cruelty has replaced compassion.”
This is just some of the human toll behind the public data on US resettlement:
Cuts to domestic refugee resettlement numbers are out of sync with the compassion of Americans across the country for refugees, and their demonstrated desire to continue welcoming people fleeing persecution
Not only are the historically low admissions numbers out of sync with global need, but they also run counter to public sentiment in the US. Across the United States, state-level and community-based support for refugees and refugee resettlement continues to gain traction, with actions that demonstrate solidarity and support for this life-saving program. Public opinion polls continue to indicate that levels of support for welcoming refugees are among the highest they have ever been. This popular support has not escaped the notice of state and federal policymakers. In 2019, 23 pro-refugee measures were introduced in 17 states around the country, and Congressional champions representing 19 states and the District of Columbia have introduced legislation to return refugee admissions to historic levels. The Guaranteed Refugee Admissions Ceiling Enhancement Act, or GRACE Act as it is known, would ensure the US welcomes no fewer than 95,000 refugees a year, in line with the historic average admissions ceiling under both Democratic and Republican presidents since 1980. Members of Congress from both parties have repeatedly rejected the administration’s efforts to slash funding for refugees and voted to maintain America’s support for the world’s most vulnerable.
Despite this strong support across the U.S. for welcoming refugees, the Trump Administration has continued to slash the number of refugees admitted to the U.S.
Comparing the monthly average of the last fiscal year (FY16) of the Obama Administration, and the current fiscal year (FY19) of the Trump administration**, in states where The IRC operates:
This World Refugee Day, we should remember who refugees are, and the value they bring to their new homes. Citizens and communities around the U.S. already making refugees and other New Americans welcome, and striving to uphold this country’s legacy of humanitarian leadership even as the federal government is increasingly abandoning it. The U.S. must admit no fewer than 95,000 refugees annually in line with historic levels- to address the unprecedented global displacement crisis, and to reflect the resources and expertise the United States has to meet this challenge.
* All refugee admissions data is publicly available on WRAPSnet.org.
**All Figures are Oct 1 – May 31. Montana excluded.
###
For more information, or to schedule an interview, please reach out to Sean.Piazza@rescue.org
About the IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 offices across the U.S. helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow the IRC on Twitter & Facebook.
=====================
Eagleton Grabs Podium at Sonoma Maintains GT Championship Pace
Sonoma, CA - June 18, 2019 - A great race for DIG Motorsports but one not without challenges at Sonoma Raceway in beautiful California Wine Country resulted in a fine second place podium finish for Roger Eagleton in the GT class. It’s a result that keeps him in pole position for the 2019 Trans Am presented by Pirelli West Coast GT Championship with just two rounds remaining on the season schedule.
On a weekend beset by technical issues that affected timing and scoring throughout, the GT cars only got one practice session, but it was enough for Eagleton - driving the No. 21 Five Star Property Management / Energy Real Estate Ford Mustang to top the GT class timings list. Roger’s time of 1:48.902 was over five seconds faster than nearest rival Beau Borders, also in piloting a Ford Mustang.
When it came to qualifying, Roger bettered his practice time in GT with a 1:47:637 but had to settle for third place behind the two Camaros of Clark Nunes and Joe Bogetich. Nunes then led from flag-to-flag in Sunday’s lunchtime race, while a neat overtaking maneuver enabled Roger to pass the Camaro of Bogetich and move up one place to grab the runner’s up spot on the podium. Roger completed 36 laps with a best lap time of 1:48:383 on lap 10.
Roger could be considered something of the architect of Nunes victory since he had been encouraged to enter the GT class by Roger himself. Nunes was asked in Winner’s Circle how it had happened, “Well, [Roger] told me if I bought a good car, I could win - and he was right,” said Nunes. “It’s a really good car — we made zero adjustments other than the seat belt — and the car ran great all weekend.”
Speaking himself after the race Roger was honest in his appraisal of events when he stated, “We finished second in class behind a much faster Chevy Camaro [it was an old TA4 car]. He was running 45’s [1 minute 45 lap times] and the best I could do was consistent 48’s - which is fast for our spec Mustangs!"
As always at Sonoma, a track Roger knows well, Eagleton was very quick with the pace. He pointed out, “I did manage to finish in front of one of the other Camaros so I know I did the best I could with what I had. Speaking of which, what I had was a backup car, as our primary car had been damaged by a customer earlier in the week, so we jumped into this back up car with no testing and were still able to finish second!”
The result kept Roger in the lead for the GT class Championship and he was generous in his gratitude to the crew that supported him so well all weekend when he added, “I want to thank the crew of DIG Motorsports for once again providing a great car that ran flawlessly. We are still leading the GT class championship and we will now shift our focus to getting more points to secure our lead at the upcoming Portland race in July.”
Roger collected 27 Championship points for his podium second at Sonoma, giving the Mustang pilot 94 points in total - 25 more than his nearest rival, and friend, Beau Borders with a total point score of 79.
Portland International Raceway July 26 to 28 is indeed the next venue for the upcoming round of the 2019 Trans Am presented by Pirelli West Coast Championship where Roger will be looking to strengthen his grip on this year’s Championship.
Keep up with all the latest news about Roger via his website at rogereagletonracing.com, Facebook and Instagram.
Five Star Property Management l gofivestarpm.com
DIG Motorsports l digmotorsports.net
Energy Real Estate l energyrealestatesf.com
==============================
USDA Radio Newsline
Monday, June 17th Stories:
