500 Advocates to Gather for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA Advocacy Day

200+ will be visiting Congressional offices in-person on Capitol Hill April 21

*For interview requests, JRS/USA’s Donald Kerwin, a renowned migration expert and longtime nonprofit leader, will be available.*

Washington, D.C. — More than 500 advocates from across the United States will participate in Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)/USA’s annual Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 21, meeting with Congressional staff and members to call for continued U.S. leadership in supporting refugees and humanitarian assistance programs.

This year’s Advocacy Day includes 200 participants attending in person with an additional 300 joining virtually – two-thirds more than participated in 2025. Participants:

• Encompass those who have been refugees themselves, students, faith leaders, former government professionals, and community advocates representing diverse groups
• Cover more than 120 House districts
• Include a military spouse and former congressional affairs professional participating virtually from Iowa, a group of university students traveling from Ohio, and advocates journeying from as far away as Washington state to bring their perspectives directly to Capitol Hill

Participants who have expressed willingness will be made available for interviews.

Advocates will highlight: 

• The need to preserve U.S. leadership in funding life-saving international humanitarian assistance programs with global displacement at historic highs and still growing.
• The importance of reversing immigration enforcement policies that undermine religious institutions and liberty. This includes enforcement in “sensitive locations” like churches, hospitals, and schools, and the denial of access to pastoral care, including religious services and sacraments, in detention centers
• The benefits of renewing legal immigration pathways like registry for those of good moral character who have resided in the U.S. for many years

JRS/USA is part of JRS International, serving refugees and other forcibly displaced people in more than 50 countries. Dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating the cause of refugee and migrant people, JRS provides education, livelihoods support, emergency services, mental health and psychosocial support, and more to individuals and communities affected by displacement. Globally, JRS serves more than one million people each year.

CONTACT:
Syeda Abbas, Media Relations Officer,  Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Syeda.Abbas@jrsusa.org