RefugePoint’s Statement on 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Results

Since 2005, RefugePoint has worked hand in hand with U.S. government officials in both Republican and Democratic administrations to protect those fleeing violence, war, and persecution. Today, with President-elect Donald Trump’s election win, our commitment to helping refugees find lasting solutions is stronger than ever. Welcoming refugees into our country is both a proud American tradition and a unique tool to save lives, build a stronger economy, and advance freedom and justice.

During President-elect Trump’s last presidency, refugee admissions to the United States were drastically reduced. In 2020 his administration slashed the number of refugees allowed to resettle to the US in FY2021 to 15,000—a record low in the history of the country’s modern refugee program. In total, roughly 129,400 refugees were admitted over the Trump-Pence administration’s four-year term. Comparatively, the United States welcomed 100,034 arrivals in FY24, the highest level of refugee admissions in three decades. 

If the Trump-Vance administration follows through with suspending the refugee resettlement program, as suggested during their campaign, they would be slamming the door on many in their hour of greatest need. Additionally, this action would be detrimental to American foreign policy and our economy. A landmark federal study released in February 2024 illustrated that from 2005-2019 refugees and asylees in the US collectively yielded a net positive fiscal impact of $123.8 billion, highlighting their vital contributions to the US economy. 

“Anti-immigrant rhetoric and any changes in policy that curtail people’s ability to access pathways to safety can cause deep fear and uncertainty. To all refugees, we stand with you and will continue to do all we can to ensure that you can rebuild your lives in safety. You are not alone. Together we will keep partnering to transform how the world supports refugees,” shared RefugePoint CEO Sasha Chanoff.

RefugePoint will continue to play a leadership role in helping refugees to access lasting solutions in the following ways:  

• We will help refugees to access resettlement to dozens of countries worldwide, including Canada, Australia, EU and other countries.
• We will help refugees to reunite with their families. We reunite refugee families in many different countries, not just families based in the US. For example, we helped Omer to reunite with his mother in Canada. 
• We will help refugees to access labor mobility—an immigration pathway through which refugees use their skills and experience to obtain jobs that allow them to relocate. We have supported hundreds of people to access this pathway to safety in Canada and will continue this critical work. 
• We will support refugees to become self-reliant. We help to stabilize refugees in the countries to which they have fled so they can meet their essential needs and become more self-reliant. As the number of forcibly displaced people continues to grow, while international aid is reduced, helping refugees to achieve self-reliance is more important than ever. 

We will continue to work tirelessly toward our vision of creating an inclusive world where all refugees can safely build stable, connected, and thriving lives.