Key Takeaways
- More than 500 U.S. advocates will take part in JRS/USA’s Advocacy Day on April 21.
- About 200 participants will meet Congressional staff in person, while roughly 300 will join virtually.
- The group represents a wide range of voices—from former refugees and students to faith leaders and former government officials.
- Central policy requests include preserving humanitarian funding, protecting religious‑institution sanctuary, and expanding legal immigration pathways.
- The push comes as global displacement reaches historic levels, underscoring the urgency of U.S. leadership.
Overview of the Event
On Tuesday, April 21, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) will host its annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., drawing over five hundred supporters from every corner of the United States. The gathering will blend on‑site meetings with virtual participation, allowing a broader coalition to amplify its message directly to Capitol Hill. Participants will engage with congressional offices, present testimonies, and leverage personal narratives to influence national policy toward refugees and displaced persons.
Scale and Reach of Participation
This year’s Advocacy Day marks a significant expansion from previous editions, with a two‑thirds increase in overall attendance. More than two hundred advocates will travel to Capitol Hill to meet legislators face‑to‑face, while an additional three hundred will connect via video conference from states ranging from Iowa to Washington. The geographic spread covers over one hundred congressional districts, ensuring that the concerns voiced reflect a truly national perspective on refugee assistance.
Diversity of Advocates The coalition is deliberately eclectic, comprising individuals who have lived as refugees, current university students, clergy members, former civil servants, and community leaders who have dedicated years to humanitarian work. Notable voices include a military spouse and former congressional aide who will speak virtually from Iowa, a cohort of Ohio university students, and a contingent of advocates journeying from the West Coast. This mosaic of experiences enriches the dialogue, providing lawmakers with concrete illustrations of how displacement affects families, schools, and faith communities.
Core Policy Asks
JRS/USA’s agenda centers on three urgent requests: first, the preservation and increase of funding for life‑saving international humanitarian assistance as global displacement continues to climb; second, a reversal of enforcement policies that criminalize sanctuary within churches, hospitals, and schools, advocating for safe spaces where clergy can provide pastoral care without interference; and third, the renewal and expansion of legal immigration pathways—such as a reformed registry—to enable long‑term residents of good moral character to obtain legal status.
Context of Global Displacement
According to recent United Nations reports, the number of forcibly displaced individuals worldwide has surpassed one hundred million, a milestone never before recorded. This unprecedented scale renders existing aid mechanisms strained and highlights the necessity for robust U.S. leadership in both financing and political support. The JRS/USA delegation will remind lawmakers that American generosity has historically set a benchmark for global responsibility, and that continued investment is essential to prevent further human suffering.
JRS/USA’s Institutional Role JRS/USA is part of the larger Jesuit Refugee Service network, which operates in more than fifty countries and serves over one million people annually through education, livelihood programs, emergency relief, and psychosocial support. Domestically, the organization not only delivers direct assistance to refugees but also champions systemic change through advocacy, research, and public awareness campaigns. Its reputation as a trusted, faith‑based entity lends moral authority to its policy recommendations and strengthens its credibility on Capitol Hill.
Potential Impact of Advocacy
By bringing lived‑experience narratives and data‑driven arguments to federal decision‑makers, the advocates aim to shape budget allocations, immigration reforms, and enforcement practices that affect millions of vulnerable individuals. Successful lobbying could result in increased appropriations for humanitarian aid, safeguards for religious sanctuaries, and more inclusive immigration statutes, thereby reinforcing U.S. commitments to human rights and global stability. Logistics and Media Opportunities Media outlets are invited to speak with Donald Kerwin, a distinguished migration expert and long‑time JRS/USA leader, who will be available for interviews with participants who consent to press engagement. This provides journalists with a unique opportunity to capture first‑hand accounts from the front lines of advocacy, adding depth to coverage of the policy debates surrounding refugees and migrants.
These coordinated efforts underscore a pivotal moment for U.S. policy on refugee assistance, blending personal testimony, strategic lobbying, and institutional expertise to drive meaningful change at a time when global displacement demands urgent attention.