Washington, DC – This afternoon, Senator Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont introduced a Sense of the Senate resolution in support of refugees and asylum seekers. The Women’s Refugee Commission, alongside a number of allies, endorsed this motion.

The introduction of the resolution reads:

“Expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States should remain a global leader in welcoming and providing refuge to refugees and asylum seekers and that no person should be banned from entering the United States because of their nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender.”

The Women’s Refugee Commission is in full support of Senator Leahy’s motion, which calls upon the moral obligations and values of the United States to implore that “the United States should remain a global leader in welcoming and providing refuge to refugees and asylum seekers.”

Michelle Brané, Director of the Migrants Rights and Justice Program at WRC responded to the resolution with the following statement:

“The past two weeks have been characterized by grossly un-American discriminatory actions as refugees and nationals from several Muslim countries were barred from the United States, and the refugee resettlement program was halted. Senator Leahy’s resolution this afternoon emphasized our obligations under international law and the Constitution to refrain from unlawful discrimination and to provide respite for refugees fleeing persecution and violence. The Women’s Refugee Commission stands in full support of this motion.”

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For more information contact: Leah Chavla, leahc@wrcommission.orgTessa Wiseman, tessa@newpartners.com