The International Institute of New England (IINE) applauds President Biden’s decision to set the ceiling on the number of refugees the U.S. can admit to 62,500 people this year. The President’s determination gives hope to thousands of families here in the U.S. awaiting their loved ones as well as those abroad who have already been approved for admission.
IINE has resettled more than 15,000 refugees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire since the federal government formally launched the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program in 1980. The U.S. program is a model public-private partnership involving community members across the country who come together year after year to welcome people fleeing persecution.
IINE is committed to working with volunteers, faith and community groups, corporate donors, philanthropists and friends to welcome refugees to New England. Together, we are confident we can create a better and stronger resettlement system that serves refugees as well as the communities where they will reside.
To continue our commitment to welcoming refugees, IINE has formally endorsed the GRACE Act put forth by Massachusetts Senators Markey and Warren and New Hampshire Senator Shaheen. 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 125,000.
