More than 68.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, the largest number ever recorded. This global displacement crisis is made worse by countries closing their borders and turning their backs on the most vulnerable people. This is a humanitarian crisis, and it demands a more humane response.

At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we treat displaced people around the world for the physical and psychological scars of war and extreme violence, for hardships suffered along the journey, and for other essential medical needs. We hear their stories of suffering and survival, and want to make sure they get the support they deserve.

At a time when the global needs are greater than ever, the United States has slashed the number of refugee admissions to a historic low.

The US government has imposed a harsh “zero tolerance” border policy which treats people seeking safety as if they are criminals. People fleeing violence have been prosecuted, detained, and deported for the fully legal act of seeking asylum. A decision by the US Attorney General to eliminate domestic violence and gang violence as legal grounds for asylum further endangers people fleeing for their lives.

In addition, thousands of people from crisis-affected countries now living in the US have had their Temporary Protected Status revoked and will be forced to return to danger.

Join us to stand with people forced from home.

MAKE A CALL

Visit Senate.gov and House.gov to find contact information for your local representatives.

Here’s what you can say:

This is [MY NAME] and I’m calling from [CITY, STATE].

I’m calling because thousands of people seeking safety in the United States are at risk of being sent back into danger. Asylum seekers are being turned away and treated as criminals. The government’s new rule against granting asylum to victims of gang violence and domestic violence will be a death sentence for many.

I’m calling to ask you to do everything in your power to challenge this unjust policy.

Seeking safety is not a crime. The US must not send people back to places where their lives are at risk.

People fleeing violence need protection. As your constituent, I expect that you will work to ensure that the US upholds its national and international legal obligations to guarantee the right to seek asylum.

Can I count on you to work to end migration policies that criminalize asylum seekers and further harm victims of violence and abuse? The US must end inhumane “zero tolerance” policies that punish vulnerable people in need of protection.

Thank you.

RAISE YOUR VOICE

SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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VOLUNTEER

Here are some of the many organizations involved with refugee resettlement and support services in the US. (Note: Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.)

Catholic Charities
Church World Service
Ethiopian Community Development Council
Episcopal Migration Ministries
HIAS
International Refugee Assistance Project
International Rescue Committee
KIND
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
RAICES
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
World Relief