FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2017
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Marta Welch, Communications & Outreach Coordinator
(303) 863-0188 x317 | mwelch@springinstitute.org
NEW ADMINISTRATION SHOULD MAINTAIN REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
A Statement by Paula Schriefer, President and CEO of Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning
DENVER, CO – As the new President of the United States embarks on his first week in office, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning urges the incoming administration to maintain longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Since 1975, the United States has welcomed over three million refugees, individuals forced to flee their homes due to persecution and conflict, and helped them rebuild their lives. From Buffalo to Pittsburgh to Nashville to Greeley, CO, refugees have not only brought their skills and passion to start new lives, they have helped revitalize the economies of communities and neighborhoods facing declining populations.
“Refugees coming to Colorado from Burma, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Russia and more recently, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, have infused our thriving economy with new workers and small business owners, as well as new art, food and culture,” said Paula Schriefer, President of Spring Institute. “They have made our state a better place to live.”
Refugees are the most vetted individuals to enter the United States and multiple intelligence agencies conduct background checks to ensure that all individuals accepted as refugees have no ties to terrorist organizations.
“Turning our backs on refugees not only betrays our values as a nation, it contributes to instability around the globe and diminishes rather than increases our national security,” Ms. Schriefer continued.
The world is facing a global refugee crisis as nearly 20 million human beings, over half of whom are children, have been forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, violence or legitimate fear of persecution.
Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower people and organizations to succeed across languages and cultures. To find out more, visit our website at www.springinstitute.org.
