Statement from President Joe Biden on World Refugee Day
On World Refugee Day, the United States reaffirms its commitment to the safety, dignity, and protection of refugees and forcibly displaced persons worldwide. A historic number of people, now more than 120 million, have been forced from their homes by war, violence, and persecution. Many of them left behind everything, fleeing with their families because of a fear of violence, ethnic oppression, political or religious persecution, or other forms of hatred and intolerance.
On this day, we reaffirm our solidarity with refugees. We also express our profound appreciation for the United Nations and the many humanitarian organizations and workers who provide refugees with life-saving assistance. We recognize the special challenges faced by countries hosting large numbers of refugees and applaud governments that have welcomed refugees and given them opportunities to integrate into and contribute to local communities.
The United States is proud to be a global leader in responding to the needs of refugees and displaced people worldwide. We are the largest donor of humanitarian assistance globally, providing those in need with life-saving food, water, shelter, and medical care. Our commitment to refugee protection extends to doing more to address the root causes of displacement, including to resolve conflicts and oppression in troubled parts of the world. This Administration has also led an historic expansion of lawful pathways so migrants do not put themselves and their families at grave risk undertaking perilous journeys.
Here at home, my Administration has rebuilt the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, strengthened our extensive refugee vetting processes, and expanded access to resettlement to the most vulnerable around the world. In Fiscal Year 2024, we are on track to resettle more than 100,000 refugees in the United States, the most in three decades. Refugees make significant political, social, and economic contributions that enrich American communities. Refugees and asylees contributed almost $124 billion to our nation’s economy from 2005 to 2019. Last year, to expand opportunities for Americans to more directly help refugees, the United States launched the Welcome Corps, an initiative that builds upon our country’s long tradition of providing refuge to people forced to flee their homes in search of safety and freedom through sponsorship.
Despite our achievements resettling refugees at home and protecting them overseas, we have much left to do. Together with our partners, we must work toward a world where people are safe from persecution and war, and where all people feel welcome and integrated into their communities.
###
