The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies strongly condemns the Administration’s decision to lower the number of refugees to be admitted to the United States to 18,000 for the year 2020. This number, lowered from the 2019 number of 30,000 is now the lowest number in United States history and comes at the same time that the worldwide refugee population, an estimated 26 million, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), is the highest number ever recorded. In lowering admissions to an all-time low of 18,000, the Administration is challenging the core principles of our nation and questioning the very fabric of the US as a nation of immigrants. As providers of refugee resettlement, employment, immigration and citizenship services, the member agencies of The Network, guided by the core Jewish belief of welcoming the stranger, will continue to work each day to strengthen and support refugees in their quest for freedom, safety and security. We urge Congress and all Americans to challenge the Administration on the merits of this decision and to uphold the values upon which our Country was founded.
Perry Ohren, Chair, NJHSA Board of Directors
Reuben D. Rotman, President & CEO
