In Response to Trump Administration’s Attacks on Refugees, Rep. Lofgren and Sen. Markey Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Refugee Entry into the United States

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today, on International Migrants Day, reintroduced the Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act, legislation that would ensure a U.S. President cannot set a Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions-the annual refugee admissions goal-below 125,000 refugees. As the Trump administration's ramps up its racist and xenophobic attacks on refugees, this legislation would seek to reestablish the United States' commitment to welcoming refugees. Protecting those fleeing persecution is a fundamental American value. The GRACE Acttakes a necessary step toward upholding this value.

Upon taking office earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of refugees under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), stranding thousands of highly vetted refugees abroad. In October, the Trump administration announced that it would set the Fiscal Year 2026 refugee admissions cap at 7,500 refugees-the lowest ceiling in the history of the refugee program since Congress established the program in 1980. President Trump has destroyed the USRAP's historic mission and eroded the United States' moral standing in the world.

"The Trump administration has been destroying America's lifesaving refugee program," said Rep. Lofgren, a former immigration lawyer and senior member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration. "Slamming the door on those fleeing persecution is a betrayal of American values, and it comes at a time when refugee numbers are increasing significantly due to instability around the globe. The GRACE Actupholds our country's commitments and grants safety and opportunity to those whose lives have been uprooted, many of whom are children."

"The Trump administration's racist and xenophobic attacks on refugees have made it more critical to recommit our country to its promises of safety for those seeking refuge. The GRACE Actreaffirms a simple truth: the United States is strongest when we lead with our values," said Senator Markey. "As a country founded by immigrants fleeing religious persecution, the United States has always been a guiding light for those walking in the darkest tunnels. We must recommit to this fundamental American principle and embrace those who fear persecution abroad."

The GRACE Actis cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Henry C. ("Hank") Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The GRACE Actwould prevent U.S. Presidents from gutting the USRAP. Specifically, the GRACE Actwould:

• Automatically set the annual level of refugee admissions at 125,000 if the President fails to issue a determination before the beginning of each fiscal year;
• Ensure that each officer responsible for refugee admissions or resettlement treats the presidential determination as a goal;
• Encourage the President to consider the report of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) on global resettlement needs when setting the presidential determination and determining regional allocations; and
• Mandate quarterly reports to Congress with specific oversight requirements.

Several refugee advocates and stakeholder organizations expressed their support for the GRACE Act.

"The reintroduction of the GRACE Actis a necessary step toward restoring accountability, humanity, and the rule of law to the U.S. refugee resettlement program," said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA. "At every turn, the Trump administration has betrayed our nation's promise as a beacon of refuge for the persecuted, dismantling America's ability to respond to global humanitarian crises, and discriminating against refugees who are most at risk and left stranded abroad. The GRACE Actwould set a minimum refugee admissions goal that no administration could go below - and strengthen Congress's oversight role to hold this administration - and future administrations - accountable to operate the refugee program in good faith. This legislation reaffirms a simple but essential truth: welcoming refugees is not optional; it is a legal and humanitarian obligation as much as it is a reflection of who we are as a nation."

"In a tumultuous year for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, we must remember that the Trump administration's restrictive policies-though agonizing and dehumanizing-do not represent who we are as a people. Today's reintroduction of the GRACE Act is a vital step towards accountability, the restoration of a compassionate resettlement program that responds to global needs, and stronger protections against future attacks," said Erol Kekic, Chief Strategy Officer at Church World Service. "The GRACE Actwould establish essential safeguards, including a minimum annual refugee admissions target, to ensure presidents cannot undermine the refugee program and abandon our commitment to welcome. Its passage would help return the U.S. role on the international stage to one of leadership, not xenophobia. We thank Senator Markey and Representative Lofgren for their leadership in reintroducing the GRACE Actand urge their colleagues in Congress to support its passage."

"The International Rescue Committee is grateful to Sen. Markey and Rep. Lofgren for their continued leadership to ensure that America's resettlement goals reflect global humanitarian needs generated by historic levels of displacement," said Hans Van de Weerd, Senior Vice President of Resettlement, Asylum and Integration, International Rescue Committee. "The re-introduction of the GRACE Act comes at a pivotal moment with over 117 million forcibly displaced people and 36 million refugees worldwide. It is more important than ever to re-affirm America's longstanding bipartisan commitment to a resettlement program that protects the world's most vulnerable refugees regardless of their country of origin."

"At this time of global displacement and unprecedented resettlement needs, we are deeply grateful for Senator Markey and Congresswoman Lofgren and all cosponsors' leadership in reintroducing theGRACE Act. This legislation is more needed than ever to ensure that the United States lives up to its promise of being a safe haven to those in dire need of protection. We know that as a country we can, and more importantly, we must, meet the essential standards set in this legislation to once again lead on the world stage in providing safety to refugees in need of resettlement," said Robyn Barnard, Senior Director of Refugee and Immigrant Rights at Human Rights First.

"Refugees aren't just fleeing persecution, torture and inhumane treatment, they are a lifeblood of the United States economy and help make America a more free, safe and secure nation. Senator Markey's GRACE Actwill ensure no President can put partisan politics over human rights and our national interests by recommitting America to its tradition of welcoming refugees through a rational, predictable and democratic process. We commend the Senator and his co-sponsors for authoring this important legislation and hope Congress acts on it swiftly," said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition.

The GRACE Actis endorsed by Refugee Council USA, Church World Service, Human Rights First, National Partnership for New Americans, Advocates for Human Rights, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Refugee Congress, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, African Human Rights Coalition, Witness at the Border, Sojourners, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, MIRA Coalition, Climate Refugees, Refugees International, AfghanEvac, HIAS, the Workers Circle, Refugee Advocacy Lab, Friends Committee on National Legislation, International Refugee Assistance Project, International Institute of New England, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, National Immigration Law Center, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, American Humanist Association, International Rescue Committee, Coalition on Human Needs, Catholic Charities of Boston, Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts, Ascentria Care Alliance, Amnesty International USA, American Civil Liberties Union, SIREN, and United Stateless.

You can read the bill text here.

###