Jesuit Refugee Service/USA calls for action as Congress continues to deliberate FY24 funding and begins to consider the Biden Administration’s FY25 budget proposal, released yesterday. Critical funding to meet the humanitarian needs of those arriving at our borders and millions of displaced persons overseas remains in limbo as Congress has yet to take action on the Administration’s October 2023 National Security Supplemental Request and pending FY24 appropriations.“The President’s budget request comes at a time when Congress is at a stalemate and the lives of those affected by conflict and violence hang in the balance,” said Joan Rosenhauer, President of JRS/USA. “While the President reiterates the need for border security and life-saving overseas assistance in his budget request, we must ensure that Congress takes timely action and that policies reflect the best of who we are as Americans.”  

The FY25 budget proposal includes $10.3 billion in humanitarian and refugee assistance in addition to the emergency supplemental request of $10 billion to address global humanitarian needs. It also reinforces the President’s commitment to resettle up to 125,000 refugees. The request cautions that the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development will have to reduce support for assistance provided outside of the U.S. if Congress does not take action on funds previously requested by the Administration. 

The President’s budget also includes funding requests first proposed in the National Security Supplemental Request to hire additional Border Patrol Agents, Customs and Border Protection Officers, Asylum Officers, and immigration judge teams. JRS/USA calls on the President and Congress to ensure that additional resources to ensure security do not come at the cost of protecting the rights and dignity of those seeking safety at our borders. 

“The world is watching as Congress continues to debate next steps with FY24 appropriations, the supplemental request, and now the President’s FY25 budget request,” said Giulia McPherson, Vice President of Advocacy and Operations at JRS/USA. “As protracted and new crises continue to displace individuals and families, pushing them across borders, we must act in a timely and humane manner. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the Administration to take the necessary steps to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.”