ELCA Action Alert: Speak Out to Defend Refuge

Action AlertELCA AdvocacyCongressImmigration and AsylumEvacuees and Refugees

Aug 4

Tens of thousands of people fleeing persecution remain in limbo - speak out for protection and welcome. Take action today!

Since the U.S. refugee resettlement program was indefinitely paused in January 2025, tens of thousands of screened, vetted and conditionally approved refugees remain stranded overseas. Most of the world’s refugees now have no pathway to resettlement in the United States – with a narrow exception for a comparatively small number of white Afrikaners from South Africa.

At the same time, refugees who have already been resettled in the United States – often by faith-based organizations – face traumatic reevaluations of their refugee status, threatened arrests, and cuts to benefits like SNAP and Medicaid that help with their transition to a permanent life in the United States.

“Welcoming refugees is a true expression of our faith, and also a continuation of an American tradition of providing a home to those facing persecution because of who they are or what they believe,” said the Rev. Amy Reumann, senior director of ELCA Witness in Society. “We call for a refugee admissions process that does not discriminate based on race, religion or nationality, but that welcomes all based on need. Each of these people, we know, is a beloved child of God; each of them bears the image of God.”

The Arizona Spin

Arizona has long welcomed refugees fleeing war, persecution and political violence, supported by congregations and experienced community partners in Phoenix and Tucson. Yet new state data show that only 145 refugees arrived during the first nine months of federal fiscal year 2026—and nearly three-quarters were from South Africa—while screened refugees from many of the world’s most dangerous conflicts remain stranded. Refugee protection should be based on vulnerability and need, not race, religion or nationality.

The most relevant Arizona advocacy targets are Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and your own House member. Rep. Juan Ciscomani is especially important because his Appropriations assignments include Homeland Security and the State Department, which fund refugee processing, admissions and resettlement.

Your ask could be…

Please restore a fair, adequately funded refugee-admissions program; protect resettlement services provided by Arizona organizations such as Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest; and ensure that refugees are considered according to humanitarian need—not preferential treatment based on race, religion or nationality.

Ask Congress to reaffirm America’s longstanding commitment to protecting people fleeing persecution through a refugee program that is adequately funded and prioritizes the most vulnerable. Urge your member of Congress to defend the contributions of refugees and to defend federal investments in refugee processing, admissions and resettlement services.

Customize this message with your faith convictions and connections to refugee resettlement in your community.

CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Find my members of Congress here.

Read the Action Alert in the ELCA Advocacy Action Center

Arizona Congressional Delegation