Advocacy Alert! February 24, 2025

There has been a swirl of Executive Orders and other White House actions related to refugee admissions and resettlement since January 21. Hearts & Homes for Refugees wants to ensure that you have access to the latest information, and we need your help!

We are hosting a webinar on Wednesday at 4 PM with special guests who will provide updates on the situation. We encourage you to join us!

Additionally, we urge you to take action TODAY by calling your Senators and Representative to advocate for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

We have also created an advocacy toolkit that you can use to conduct outreach in your community. If there’s a group interested in hosting a presentation, please get in touch—we would be happy to come to you!

The need is urgent, and refugees need your support now. Thank you for standing with refugees.

Webinar: Wednesday Feb 26 at 4pm

With your help, over the past 9 years HHR has transformed the lives of countless refugees and welcomed and assisted thousands of our new neighbors in the Lower Hudson Valley. In challenging times, coming together can be both informative and healing.

Please mark your calendars for February 26 at 4 pm via Zoom for an important webinar with welcomers in the Network, featuring:

• Kelly Agnew-Barajas, Co-Director of Immigration and Refugee Services at Catholic Charities Community Services of NY

• Carola Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link

• U.S. Representative George Latimer (D-16)

To register for the webinar, please follow this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pOUOyweHSBOeYf9yMX8RiQ

Kelly will address the impact of the Administration’s actions on Resettlement Agencies and help us better understand the challenges and outlook. Carola will provide an update on Neighbors Link’s work with immigrants and asylum seekers.

Congressman Latimer has been a long-time supporter of the welcoming work. This is an opportunity for as many of his constituents as possible to hear from our newly elected congressman about his advocacy and how he is continuing his strong support for the USRAP and the community sponsorship model and a number of specific cases. A strong turnout will provide a compelling case for refugee resettlement and the power of goodwill fueling the growth of sponsorship programs across the country.

Please (1) join us, and (2) share this invitation with others!

End the Refugee Ban – Ask Your Lawmakers to Speak Out

BACKGROUND:

Upon taking office on January 20, President Trump signed a sweeping series of executive actions that reversed decades of precedent for welcome, going much further than he did in his first term to target programs supporting refugees and others who are fleeing persecution and violence.

The administration’s actions included:

• An indefinite ban on refugee resettlement, stranding tens of thousands of refugees who have gone through years of security screening and remain in danger overseas.

• A 90-day suspension of all foreign aid to displaced people overseas — followed by stop work orders implicating services to refugees and forcibly displaced people who are already here.

• An attack on humanitarian organizations serving refugees and newcomers here in the United States.

These policies are rooted in misinformation and fear and fail to recognize that welcoming refugees makes our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous.

CALL OR SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR TWO SENATORS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!

Have you volunteered with refugees or supported resettlement efforts with donations? Is “welcoming the stranger” part of your beliefs? If yes, personalize your advocacy to make it stronger! Click below to take action: