WASHINGTON (October 22, 2002) -– President Bush's authorization of only 70,000 refugee admissions in fiscal year 2003 continues a "gradual abdication of U.S. world leadership in refugee protection," and is a source of deep concern for the nation's Catholic bishops, according to the chairman of the their Committee on Migration.

"We are troubled foremost by the refugee limit set by the president because it represents a retreat from our nation"s long-standing commitment to the protection of refugees," said Auxiliary Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami. "This continues an alarming downward trend over the past decade in the number of refugees admitted to the United States and signals a gradual abdication of U.S. world leadership in refugee protection."

The president is required by statute each year to authorize a set number of refugees eligible for resettlement in the United States. The so-called "presidential determination" on refugees for fiscal year 2003, signed by President Bush last week, allows for the admission of 70,000 refugees into the United States, with 20,000 of that number to be used only in the event of a crisis or "unforeseen circumstances."

"We find the 70,000 refugee admissions total authorized by the president unacceptable, particularly in light of the fact that more than 14 million refugees continue to languish in camps and poor urban areas around the world," Bishop Wenski said. "Even more disturbing is that only 50,000 of the number authorized have been allocated, indicating a lack of commitment on the part of the Administration to meet the authorized limit of 70,000."

The U.S. refugee program has come under increased scrutiny since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, despite that fact that none of the September 11 terrorists were refugees and that refugees regularly undergo more screening than any other arrival in the United States. Primarily because of increased security procedures, the United States resettled about 27,000 of the 70,000 authorized admissions for fiscal year 2002.

Bishop Wenski acknowledged the importance of ensuring national security but added that security and a healthy and robust refugee program are not incompatible.

"As pastors, we understand the responsibility government leaders have toward ensuring the national security of the public," Bishop Wenski said. "However, steps can and should be taken to expedite the admissions process in a manner that preserves our security while honoring traditional refugee admissions levels."

Bishop Wenski called upon government officials to work with Church agencies to reach the 70,000 admissions target for fiscal year 2003 and not settle on 50,000, as laid out in the annual determination. "The U.S. State Department and other federal agencies should redouble their efforts at identifying vulnerable refugee groups – especially women and children – in need of protection. We call upon government officials to work with us to admit 70,000 refugees in fiscal year 2003 and to put in place the infrastructure overseas to expand refugee admissions in the future."

The full text of Bishop Wenski's statement:

The U.S. Catholic bishops have traditionally defended the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers to seek protection in the United States. Indeed, our nation was founded as a safe haven for individuals and groups who were fleeing religious and political persecution in their homelands. Since its founding, the United States of America has represented a beacon of hope and freedom to the oppressed of the world and has welcomed millions of persons seeking safety and the preservation of their basic human rights.

It is in this context that the U.S. bishops are deeply concerned and disappointed with the recently released annual "Presidential Determination," which establishes the number of refugees that the United States will admit in any new fiscal year. In the determination for fiscal year 2003, which began October 1, President Bush has allowed for a refugee admission total of 70,000, with 20,000 of that total unallocated to an area of the world and available only under unforeseen circumstances.

We find the 70,000 refugee admissions total authorized by the President unacceptable, particularly in light of the fact that more than 14 million refugees continue to languish in camps and poor urban areas around the world. Even more disturbing is that only 50,000 of the number authorized have been allocated, indicating a lack of commitment on the part of the Administration to meet the authorized limit of 70,000.

We are troubled foremost by the refugee limit set by the President because it represents a retreat from our nation"s long-standing commitment to the protection of refugees. Our deep concern is compounded by the fact that the United States admitted just over 27,000 of the 70,000 refugees authorized for fiscal year 2002. This continues an alarming downward trend over the past decade in the number of refugees admitted to the United States and signals a gradual abdication of U.S. world leadership in refugee protection.

As pastors, we understand the responsibility government leaders have toward ensuring the national security of the public and support many of the security measures implemented in the refugee program since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. However, steps can and should be taken to expedite the admissions process in a manner that preserves our security while honoring traditional refugee admissions levels.

In addition, the U.S. State Department and other federal agencies should redouble their efforts at identifying and resettling vulnerable refugees"especially women and children"around the world in need of protection. The U.S. bishops, Catholic organizations overseas, and Catholic diocesan programs here in the United States stand ready to work with government officials to establish the infrastructure, both at home and abroad, necessary to accomplish this goal.

For the past several decades, the U.S. refugee program has been a model of public-private cooperation dedicated to the goal of saving the lives of vulnerable refugees around the world. In the best interests of protecting human life, we must return to the spirit of cooperation which for years has been a hallmark of the program. We call upon our government officials to work with us to admit 70,000 refugees in fiscal year 2003 and to put in place the infrastructure to expand refugee admissions in the future. Only by working together in good faith can government and voluntary organizations restore health to the refugee program and preserve our nation"s tradition as a safe haven for the persecuted.

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