FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2025
Contact: Jessica Andrews | Email
Baltimore, M.D. — Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, Global Refuge convened a critical conversation on the state of U.S. refugee policy amid record global displacement. The virtual event featured U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, and a panel of Global Refuge advocacy and policy experts discussing executive, legislative, and budgetary developments impacting displaced populations.
The conversation came at a pivotal moment. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) newly-released Global Trends report, more than 123 million people were forcibly displaced as of the end of 2024 —an increase of 7 million people from the end of 2023, and the highest number ever recorded. With crises in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine driving new migration or prolonged displacement, the panel underscored the urgent need to preserve humanitarian pathways — particularly in light of the virtual shutdown of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
“The numbers are staggering, but they are also deeply personal. Each statistic represents a family forced to flee, a community torn apart, and a future put on hold,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “At a time when the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is operating at a fraction of its potential, we cannot afford to look away. We must reaffirm our nation’s humanitarian commitments, and that starts with reopening legal pathways for carefully vetted refugees who, time and time again, become vital contributors to our communities and workforce.”
“World Refugee Day is a reminder of the responsibility we have to stand up for human rights and ensure that people who are seeking safety are met with compassion and not cruelty,” said Representative Yassamin Ansari. “I will continue to fight my absolute hardest to ensure that this administration respects the rule of law and that we reform and improve our immigration system in a way that is fair, safe, and humane and includes a pathway to citizenship.”
Panelists explored the FY26 budget and reconciliation process, highlighting how sustained humanitarian funding and legislative protections are not only moral imperatives but strategic investments in both American communities and global stability. They also discussed proposed bills in Congress that would provide stronger support to refugees and the communities that welcome them.
The webinar reinforced Global Refuge’s call for bold, bipartisan action in support of those fleeing violence and persecution, especially at a time when global need has outpaced humanitarian aid.
For more information about the organization's advocacy campaigns or to request an interview with a Global Refuge expert, please contact Jessica Andrews (our email).
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