Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The United States has a longstanding tradition of welcoming individuals from around the world who are seeking protection and refuge. But recent U.S. policy has grown increasingly hostile toward asylum seekers and refugees. Instead of turning vulnerable individuals away, the United States should maintain its global reputation as a leader in refugee resettlement and humanitarian protection. Doing so not only upholds American values but sustains and strengthens our communities. Data from the Council shows that refugees and asylees make tremendous contributions to our economy as earners, taxpayers, and consumers. Learn more about the contributions and challenges of asylum seekers and refugees below.
On World Refugee Day, A Call to Rebuild U.S. Refugee Resettlement
World Refugee Day is celebrated internationally on June 20 every year. It honors the struggle of refugees around the world who are fleeing violence and persecution and are unable to safely return to their home countries. Over this past year, in the middle of a devastating global pandemic, the number… Read More
Attorney General Rescinds Two Trump Decisions, Restoring Protection to Many Asylum Seekers
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on June 16 that he is restoring a vital lifeline to survivors of gender-based violence, gang violence, and violence on account of family relationships. Garland issued two decisions overruling Trump-era Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr’s rulings disqualify many such individuals from asylum in… Read More
Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s order to vacate Trump-era limitations on asylum
Following Attorney General Merrick Garland reversing Trump-era immigration rulings on Wednesday, New American Economy issued the following statement: “We applaud AG Garland’s decision to vacate rulings that denied protections for those fleeing gender-based violence, gang brutality, and other human rights violations, said Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of New American Economy. Read More
Returning to Our Humanitarian Obligations, AG Garland Restores Protections for Many Asylum Seekers
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced today that he is restoring a vital lifeline to victims of severe domestic violence, gang violence, and violence on account of family relationships. Read More
New Report Shows Immigrants and Refugees in the Minneapolis Area Paid Over $443 Million in Taxes and Held $1.2 Billion in Spending Power in 2019
Immigrants and refugees in the Minneapolis area make up 13.2 percent of business owners and 13.4 percent of STEM workers MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A new report released today by New American Economy (NAE), in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce and… Read More
Collecting DNA From Asylum Seekers at the Border Raises Privacy Concerns
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is collecting DNA from asylum seekers at the border, recent media reports confirm. This is the latest expansion of DNA collection as part of a program initiated under the Trump administration that targets nearly all immigrants in government custody. A growing number of noncitizens… Read More
New ‘Dedicated Docket’ Could Rush Asylum-Seeking Families Through Court
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 28 the creation of a new “Dedicated Docket” in immigration court for the claims of asylum-seeking families. The goal of this new “rocket docket” is to complete most new cases within 300 days. A… Read More
Statement of NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins on Haitian TPS Designation
Following the Biden Administration granting humanitarian protections for Haitians in the United States, New American Economy issued the following statement: “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for granting Haitians the opportunity to gain Temporary Protected Status during a period of increasing political and humanitarian crisis,” said Jeremy Robbins, Executive Director of… Read More
Statement from New American Economy on the Biden Administration Revising the Refugee Admissions Cap
Following the Biden Administration revising the annual refugee admissions cap, New American Economy issued the following statement: “For decades, the U.S. has led the world in refugee resettlement, offering a safe haven to people fleeing violence and persecution and a chance for them to build better lives for… Read More
Sinema and Cornyn Propose Changes to Asylum Processing at the Border
The current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border has once again exposed the flaws of our country’s asylum system. On April 22, Senators Kyrsten Sinema and John Cornyn and Representatives Tony Gonzales and Henry Cueller introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill as an effort to alleviate some of the system’s greatest deficiencies. Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
