The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) President & Chief Executive Officer, Lavinia Limon, today praised President Barack Obama for proposing a fiscal year 2013 budget for refugees that demonstrates continued support for current funding levels and avoids steep reductions. The US has already accepted over 50,000 exiled Bhutanese for resettlement in various States.
The President’s spending proposal, released Monday, also includes needed increases to meet higher costs of refugee-related medical services and assistance for unaccompanied migrant children, mentioned a press statement issued by the Committee today.
“Refugees struggling to attain self-sufficiency in our country can be grateful to President Obama for his budget proposal that imposes no cuts,” said Lavinia Limon.
“Vulnerable, unaccompanied migrant children who turn up on our shores and borders will have more protection and help, as will refugee families driven by war and persecution and who strive to build new lives here. We hope that the Congress will approve these important budget measures, and I applaud President Obama for his leadership for refugees throughout the United States.”
The statement further said that the President’s FY 2013 budget plan would maintain current funding for most refugee programs administered through the departments of Health and Human Services, and State.
It contains a $37 million increase for the Office of Refugee Resettlement under HHS to cover increases in medical costs of newly-arrived refugees, and for care for unaccompanied alien children.
The President’s budget blueprint also provides funding necessary for the extension of SSI benefits for eligible refugees for two years.
“In the current economic and political climate, it is not easy to stand up for the most vulnerable among us, but that is exactly what President Obama has done today,” added Limon.
The USCRI has been protecting refugees, serving immigrants and upholding freedom since 1911.
