Welcome to the Lab Brief.
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In the face of increasing challenges to the protection system and American communities writ large – including last week’s announcement to slash refugee admissions to a historic low – the Lab and our partners are working to find hope and opportunities to push back. New Lab polling data show that policy changes that shut pathways to safety and terrorize communities are out of step with what the American public wants, and we will continue to elevate the critical perspectives of refugees and their fellow community members and support legislation that will move communities across the country towards being a place of refuge and opportunity for people forced to flee their homes.
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Let’s take a closer look.
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LAB OUTRAGED AT HISTORICALLY LOW REFUGEE ADMISSIONS GOAL
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The Lab and our partners responded to the Trump administration’s deeply disappointing announcement to set the Presidential Determination at a record low 7,500 and exclude tens of thousands of people seeking safety who were already in the pipeline for resettlement:
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“This record low is not only an abdication of our commitment to be a nation welcoming people seeking safety, it is a disservice to every community who has benefitted from resettling refugees, the families waiting for their loved ones to come, and the American economy, which is in dire need of people who want to start their lives in the U.S. and get to work providing for their families. We hope the administration will reconsider this position, and reopen the pathway to safety that is a point of pride among Americans across the country and across party lines.” - Kate Brick, Executive Director of the Refugee Advocacy Lab
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STRONG MAJORITY OF U.S. VOTERS SUPPORT REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
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New polling data from the Refugee Advocacy Lab, Refugees International, and Data for Progress finds that more than two-thirds of voters support the United States having a refugee resettlement program. This includes 79 percent support among Democrats, 68 percent among Independents, and 59 percent among Republicans. Notably, Republican support for refugee resettlement increased by 12 points since this same poll was conducted one year ago, returning to steady levels of support among Republicans seen in previous years.
The new poll also revealed the deep unpopularity of several other policy changes enacted by this administration that have undermined access to protection for people seeking safety in the United States and abroad, including reversing the practice of granting asylum to women and girls fleeing gender-based violence, deporting immigrants to countries where they have never lived and their safety is not guaranteed, deporting people who entered the United States with humanitarian protected status, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting immigrants in “protected areas” such as schools, churches, and hospitals.
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When we come together—one act of welcome at a time—we strengthen our communities. We don’t have to look far to see this in action - watch as Kary shows us how we all have the power to create change.
Whether you’re a newcomer yourself or a long-time community member, join Kary: Sign the #WeWillWelcome pledge, share it on social media, and invite others to add their voices. More than 300 people have participated, and we hope you will as well!
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REFUGEE STORYTELLERS COLLECTIVE
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Collective Members Speak Out
Refugee Storytellers Collective members are weighing in on policy decisions that directly impact their families and communities across the country.
Mariia Yatsko wrote in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution and spoke with WBS-TV about the administration’s policies that will strip hundreds of thousands of people of their humanitarian parole status and make them subject to deportation to places where their safety is not guaranteed:
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“If you’re reading this, I ask you to take one simple action: contact your members of Congress. Let them know that you support permanent protections for people living here under humanitarian parole. Tell them that your community includes people like me and my son. All we ask for is the chance to stay, to contribute fully, and to live without fear.” - Mariia Yatsko, a Collective member from Ukraine, an IDA Program Specialist at New American Pathways, and an advisory council member for the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA)
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Bahati Kanyamanza wrote in The Guardian on the need to continue America’s historical legacy of welcome for refugees and newcomers, and the Trump administration’s disastrous overhaul of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program:
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“As someone who found hope and belonging here, I know that our greatness has never come from exclusion. It comes from compassion, courage and the belief that every person deserves a chance to rebuild their life in safety. We must hold our elected leaders accountable for keeping their promises and passing policies that support and care for all who call America home.” - Bahati Kanyamanza, a Collective member from the DRC and Global Partnerships Director at the International Refugee Assistance Project
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Unheard Voices Podcast Series
The Refugee Storytellers Collective has partnered with Beyond the Headlines to launch "Unheard Voices: Hear My Story," a podcast series featuring the raw, real voices of leaders with lived experience who believe in the power of sharing their stories for social change. With ten episodes in the series so far, Collective members are reflecting on the power of community, of speaking out, and of advocacy.
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As we approach the last two months of the year, most Lab states have wrapped up their 2025 legislative sessions, but there were important developments inOhio and Pennsylvania, which have year-long state legislative sessions.
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On October 7th, leaders with lived experience, advocates, allies, and other community members came together in Harrisburg to meet with their elected officials and urge support for creating an Office of New Pennsylvanians (ONP).
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Introduced by state Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Joe Hohenstein, and supported by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Church World Service, the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, the Welcoming Center of Philadelphia, the Lab, and others, this legislation is a crucial step in ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can thrive.
Last week, HB 1113 was referred out of the House State Government Committee and will soon head to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives for a floor vote. We look forward to supporting this effort as it moves through the legislative process, including building support through this business sign-on letter. If you are a Pennsylvania resident or business owner, or if you know someone who is, let us know and we’ll connect you with the effort.
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Dozens of Ohioans joined local Lab partner Vibrant Ohio at the state capitol in Columbus on October 21st to meet with their elected officials and urge them to support forthcoming legislation that will create a pathway for internationally trained physicians (ITPs) to obtain licensure and address growing physician shortages in the state.
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In addition to meeting with their representatives, participants heard from physicians, healthcare industry leaders, and our partners at World Education Services during a powerful panel on the impact this type of legislation could have on healthcare access for thousands of Ohioans. We look forward to continuing to work alongside bold leadership in the Ohio General Assembly to support legislation that invests in the future of the state and the health of Ohio communities.
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Thanks for reading! Are you interested in state advocacy or Lab resources? Reach out.
The Refugee Advocacy Lab partners with varying groups on different activities, and as such, partnership with the Lab does not necessarily imply a partner’s support for any specific activity or policy. Similarly, the Lab does not necessarily support or endorse specific activities or positions of partner organizations.
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