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There is too much in the refugee executive order to cover here (reporters, we are having a press call tomorrow /Friday at 11AM EST). But the first section alone, setting forth U.S. refugee policy, has enough highlights to spend all night thinking about. 1/
It starts out emphasizing the upholding international protection obligations to meet the global needs of the refugee crisis. >>> Hopefully other nations will follow suit and increase resettlement and reject xenophobic nativism that violates the jus cogens of non-refoulement. 2/
- This great line, “Delays in administering USRAP and other humanitarian programs are counter to our national interests, can raise grave humanitarian concerns…” >>> Both those things can justify midyear increases to the refugee target per 207(b). See:
https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Refugee-Reset-Mid-Year-Increases-to-the-U.S.-Refugee-Admissions-Target.pdf 3/
https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Refugee-Reset-Mid-Year-Increases-to-the-U.S.-Refugee-Admissions-Target.pdf 3/
- An important statement that security vetting “should be improved to be more efficient, meaningful, and fair…”. >>> Security checks are important, but too often they are discriminatory, delayed, duplicative, and unreliable. See: https://refugeerights.org/press-release-irap-report-reveals-trump-administration-exploiting-extreme-vetting-to-decimate-refugee-program/ 4/
- Discrimination has no place in who has access to humanitarian programs. >>> Contrast that with policies that banned Muslims, Africans, and people who did not fit a specific profile from accessing USRAP. Also bring back regional allocations and prioritize vulnerability. 5/
- “reunifying families is in the national interest” + “agencies should explore the use of all available authorities for humanitarian protection to assist individuals for whom USRAP is unavailable. >>> i.e., humanitarian parole. See that chapter in: https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Expanding-Complementary-Pathways-for-Refugees-and-Displaced-Persons-A-Blueprint-for-the-U.S.-Government.pdf. 6/
Note- Tuesday's EO said DHS shall consider promoting family unity by exercising parole authority to permit nationals of the Northern Triangle who are the beneficiaries of approved family-sponsored immigrant visa petitions to join their family in the US on a case-by-case basis. 7/
- Private sponsorship can innovate and expand USRAP. >>> Yes! While maintaining additionality and prioritizing vulnerability, new sponsorship models can invigorate community support for refugees, improve outcomes, and increase capacity. See in detail:
https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Expanding-Complementary-Pathways-for-Refugees-and-Displaced-Persons-A-Blueprint-for-the-U.S.-Government.pdf. 8/
https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Expanding-Complementary-Pathways-for-Refugees-and-Displaced-Persons-A-Blueprint-for-the-U.S.-Government.pdf. 8/
Finally, the SIV program must be administered without undue delay. >>> A vital and noble program that is plagued with systemic disfunction. Applicants get killed waiting years for an adjudication that is supposed to take only 9 months. See in detail: https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IRAP_SIV_Report_2020.pdf 9/
That's just Section 1. There are a lot of things in here that refugee advocates have been fighting for years to see (access to counsel! basis of denial! access to case files! recognition of life-partnerships! remote interviews! make all policies publicly available!) 10/
If and when a report to Congress is delivered, we will see what other changes are planned for USRAP. But it is clear that the admin is looking to do more than raise refugee numbers. They are trying to make the process actually work. That's harder, but the right thing to do. 11/11
