Tell Congress: Don't Discriminate Against Muslim Refugees

By UUA International Resources

Syrian refugees

A family sits outside their tent at the refugee camp in Atmeh (Qatma), Syria. They fled violence in their home town in Idlib province and are part of the mammoth humanitarian disaster facing Syria and surrounding countries today. Image courtesy UUSC.
As people across the United States are donating to help Syrian refugees abroad and volunteering to welcome refugees in their communities, a number of Governors recently announced that they want to stop their states from resettling Syrian refugees. This is morally reprehensible. Some Members of Congress have even introduced the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act (H.R. 3573), legislation that would stop refugee resettlement altogether. It is critical that public officials hear from their constituents NOW as decisions are being made that will drastically impact the lives of Syrian refugees and refugee resettlement in the United States.

Take Action Today

  • Send a message to your congressional representative through the UUSC
  • Call your Representative and Senators : 1-866-961-4293
  • If you live in one of the following states, call your Governor!
    • Alabama: (334) 242-7100
    • Arizona: (520) 628-6580 / (602) 542-4331
    • Arkansas: (501) 682-2345
    • Florida: (850) 488-7146
    • Georgia: (404) 656-1776
    • Idaho: (208) 334-2100
    • Illinois: (217) 782-0244 / (312) 814-2121
    • Indiana: (317) 569-0709
    • Iowa: (515) 281-5211
    • Kansas: (785) 296-3232
    • Louisiana: (225) 342-7015
    • Maine: (207) 287-3531 / 1-855-721-5203
    • Massachusetts: (617) 725-4005 / (413) 784-1200 / (202) 624-7713
    • Michigan: (517) 373-3400
    • New Hampshire: (603) 271-2121
    • New Jersey: (609) 292-6000
    • North Carolina: (919) 814-2000
    • Ohio: (614) 466-3555
    • Oklahoma: (405) 521-2342
    • South Carolina: (803) 734-2100
    • Texas: 800-843-5789 / (512) 463-1782
    • Wisconsin: (608) 266-1212
When you call, tell the receptionist that as a constituent, you want to help WELCOME Syrian refugees and that you're against the calls of some governors to reject Syrian refugees.

Ex: “I’m a constituent from [City] and I support the resettlement of Syrian refugees. I urge the Senator / Representative / Governor to represent me and other constituents who seek to welcome Syrian refugees.”

Here are some helpful points that you may want to mention, but the most important point is your story and why your community wants to welcome Syrian refugees!
  • The U.S. government handpicks the refugees who resettle here, and refugees are the most thoroughly vetted people to come to the United States.
  • All refugees resettled in the United States undergo rigorous security screenings by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies, including biometric checks, forensic testing, medical screenings and in-person interviews.
  • This is not an either/or situation. The United States can continue to welcome refugees while also continuing to ensure national security. We must do both.
You can also tweet your Members of Congress and your network:

“.@REPRESENTATIVE, Our community is ready to welcome #Syrian #refugees. #RefugeesWelcome #AmericaWelcomes!"

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UUA International Resources

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