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In June @EricHysen and I launched one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever led: drafting a nuts-and-bolts operational plan to rebuild the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. And this week, we were thrilled to release our final report.
https://global.upenn.edu/penn-biden-center/refugee-admissions-project
https://global.upenn.edu/penn-biden-center/refugee-admissions-project
Trump has decimated the program - reducing the admissions target from a high of 110,000 under Obama to just 15,000 today. It has been so thoroughly weakened that major operational efficiencies and advances will be required to rebuild & reimagine it as a world-class model.
Fortunately the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is made up of a dedicated community of professionals & volunteers abroad & at home with a well-deserved reputation for expertise & commitment. Offices closed & arrivals slowed, but the values they symbolize have only grown stronger.
I urge you to read the report, but I wanted to share three important highlights.
First, the executive summary, which sets out the priority steps necessary to reach 125K refugee admissions. It’s an ambitious goal. This is how to get there.
First, the executive summary, which sets out the priority steps necessary to reach 125K refugee admissions. It’s an ambitious goal. This is how to get there.
Second, a Refugee’s Journey Map - a visual guide to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program from the perspective of a refugee.
Our report is based on more than 100 consultations, the most important of which were with refugees themselves, who generously shared their experiences.
Our report is based on more than 100 consultations, the most important of which were with refugees themselves, who generously shared their experiences.
And third, the final portion of the report (Plan of Action #4) includes a proposal for the architecture & infrastructure for the launch of a private sponsorship program, which builds on the efforts of so many who are imagining & working towards this possibility.
The extreme hostility to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program that has marked the last four years represents a significant outlier from a long history of bipartisan support - a foundation, spanning red & blue states, from which to rebuild w partnership, confidence & hope.
Couldn’t be prouder of the team behind this work who brought big-hearted passion & an incredible array of skills, incl policy, ops, human-centered design, data science, and software engineering. @rbkim @lkohl @SarahSaltiel @DavidLeftwich_ @salma_mousa_ and many others. Thank you.
