WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump has
issued the Presidential Determination (PD) for refugee admissions for fiscal
year 2019, setting the level at 30,000 refugees. The PD will be the lowest
refugee ceiling in the 38-year history of the resettlement program, with the
average annual limit being 95,000 refugees.
Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration has offered the following statement
regarding the PD.

Full statement follows:

“As Christians, we believe it is our duty
to welcome and help those who are persecuted, including the vulnerable such as
children and religious minorities. Resettlement in our country is a way through
which we live out our Gospel call to welcome the persecuted into our
communities–individuals and families with no viable options to stay where they
are or return home. I am saddened by
today’s major reduction in resettlement to 30,000 refugees. I worry and pray
for those refugees left in harm’s way by this decision. We urge the Administration to diligently work
to reach this year’s Presidential Determination as we know that many in the
world fleeing war, persecution and religious discrimination continue to
desperately need our support. We pledge
to work with the Administration to ensure that we reach that goal. We will
continue to call for a higher refugee admissions level for next year. We can
and must do more to assist those in need.”

—

Keywords: United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez, Committee on Migration,
President Donald Trump, Presidential Determination, refugee, resettlement

###

Media Contact:

Judy Keane

202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops