Uphold Congress’s Commitment to Refugees—Demand the Obligation of Appropriated Funds

Congress approved critical emergency funding to support refugee overseas assistance and humanitarian programs—programs that offer life-saving services to those displaced by conflict, persecution, and disaster.=

Yet despite clear Congressional approval and intent, the Administration has unlawfully terminated many of these programs without cause. Now, it claims the authority to withhold appropriated funding for fiscal year (FY) 2025—threatening to defund essential refugee assistance efforts.

Congress must act. 

We urge you to contact your Members of Congress and ask them to:

• Oppose any rescission requests; 

• Direct the Administration to obligate all appropriated refugee and humanitarian funding for its intended purposes;

• Insist that unlawfully terminated refugee assistance programs be reinstated and fully funded.

Congress approved this funding to meet urgent needs. It must be obligated—and the programs it supports must be restored.