ACT ON GRACE

Join LAMA and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest in advocating for refugee resettlement by participating in ACT ON GRACE.

Action Toolkit for contacting your representatives below.

What is The GRACE Act?

H.R.2237 aka The GRACE Act — “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the President to set a minimum annual goal for the number of refugees to be admitted, and for other purposes.”

The GRACE (Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement) Act would protect and restore the U.S. refugee resettlement program by setting a minimum refugee admissions goal to 95,000 and increasing congressional oversight of the administration’s operations of the resettlement program.

As the world faces the highest levels of displacement on record, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) reintroduced on March 26, 2021 the bicameral Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act. This legislation would strengthen the Refugee Act of 1980 by preventing the President from setting a Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions at a level below 95,000.

Read about the H.R.2237 Bill Introduction.

Why is The GRACE Act important?

We are experiencing the worst refugee crisis in history. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 79.5 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them, nearly 26 million are refugees, and more than half are under the age of 18.

To be considered for resettlement, a refugee must receive a refugee status determination from the UNHCR and prove persecution based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or social group membership.

Fewer than 1% of the world’s refugees are ever resettled.

If a refugee is selected for resettlement in the United States, they undergo the most extensive security screening and vetting process of any traveler to come to the United States, including health screening.

Refugee resettlement is a strong bipartisan tradition that reflects American values. Presidents of both parties have used refugee admissions to support those who seek religious and political liberty and reject oppression.

Learn more:

• The Grace Act Fact Sheet

• The Rigorous Process of Screening Refugees

• Arizona Refugee Contributions

• Refugee Resettlement in the United States

• Ways Refugees Strengthen Our Economy and Communities

Participate in ACT ON GRACE:

1. Write three hand-written letters (or use the form here) explaining why you believe we should welcome refugees into the United States. Your letters will be delivered to Senator Sinema, Senator Kelly, and your House Representative.

   • Not sure what to write? Use these sample letters for inspiration.'

   • Find out who your House Representative is here.

2. Sign with your full name and address. This is important! Members of Congress will want to confirm this and will send you a letter back.

3. Mail letters to either address below:

   • Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), ATTN Solveig Muus, 1819 E Morten St, Suite 110, Phoenix AZ 85020

   • Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW), ATTN Charlotte Shurtz, 2502 E University Dr, Suite 125, Phoenix AZ 85034

What Happens Next?

In August 2021 during the August Recess, we will meet with members of congress and deliver your hand-written letters to them.