CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CALLS FOR CHANGES IN US REFUGEE POLICY

Following the termination of the family reunion program for refugees from some African nations on December 1, the Congressional Black Caucus has called for changes in US policy toward refugees.  At a recent meeting, the Caucus called for the reinstitution of the family reunion program, as well as a program to grant citizenship to Liberians of American origin.  Freed American slaves founded Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, in the early 19th century.

The Black Caucus charges that current US refugee policy is racially discriminatory.  To support this charge, they point to the fact that 4.3 million of the world’s 13.2 million refugees are African, more than from any other continent, yet the US admitted only 6000 refugees from Africa last year.  In contrast, 48,000 refugees from Europe were allowed into the US. 

A resolution has been introduced in the House as follows:  “Be it further resolved that the US immediately institute a refugee admission policy which offers fair and equitable treatment of all war victims irrespective of race, religion and national origin.” 

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