Migrants walking with a woman leading the way while holding a young girl. There is a woman wearing a JRS vest walking to the right of them.

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Urge Congress and the Administration to Uphold US Refugee and Immigration Laws that Reflect the Rule of Law

Urge Congress and the Administration to Uphold U.S. Refugee and Immigration Laws that Reflect the Rule of Law

At Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, we serve, accompany, and advocate for and with refugees in 58 countries around the world. We know from experience that when the rule of law is not respected, the consequences are severe: forced displacement, abuses during migration, and the denial of protection in host countries.

The rule of law is more than a legal ideal—it is a vital safeguard for human dignity. The World Justice Project outlines four core principles at its heart:

  • Accountability of government and its leaders to the law

  • Fair, publicized, and stable laws

  • Accessible and impartial legal processes

  • Independent lawyers and judges

In the United States, the rule of law is grounded in:

  • The separation of powers among three co-equal branches of government

  • Constitutional rights, including due process protections, that apply to all persons—not only U.S. citizens

What Has Changed

In 2025, these safeguards are under strain. H.R. 1, signed into law on July 4, 2025, entrenches mass deportation policies, narrows asylum eligibility, and raises humanitarian application fees. At the same time, the Administration has sought to rescind billions in congressionally appropriated refugee aid—actions now being challenged in federal courts. In early September, the Supreme Court temporarily allowed the Administration to pause disbursement of foreign aid fundswhile litigation proceeds.

These developments undermine not only humanitarian programs, but also the constitutional principle that Congress—not the executive—controls appropriations.

What’s at Stake

Area Impact
Judicial independence Undermined when court rulings protecting asylum or appropriations authority are delayed, ignored, or challenged by executive overreach.
Refugee resettlement & aid Programs remain frozen or underfunded despite congressional approval, leaving refugees stranded and partners unable to deliver services.
Religious freedom Heightened enforcement threatens faith-based institutions that accompany and serve immigrant communities.
Birthright citizenship Proposals to erode constitutional guarantees of citizenship for children born in the U.S. put long-standing rights at risk.

Take Action

Now is the time to urge Congress and the Administration to uphold these standards by:

  • Respecting judicial independence and upholding court decisions.

  • Fully implementing refugee resettlement and overseas assistance programs already authorized and funded by Congress.

  • Ensuring all enforcement actions safeguard religious freedom.

  • Preserving the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.

Let’s ensure that our nation’s refugee and immigration policies reflect the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law.