Reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 533
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T19:52:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution (H. Res. 533) reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons both domestically and globally. It highlights the significance of World Refugee Day (June 20, 2025) and the 74th anniversary of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, while addressing the record-high global displacement crisis and criticizing recent U.S. policy restrictions on refugee admissions and asylum.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining global displacement statistics and U.S. obligations, followed by seven main directives in the "Resolved" section:
- Recognition of urgency: Calls for comprehensive, fair, and humane policies to address forced migration and refugee challenges.
- Reaffirmation of commitment: Emphasizes bipartisan U.S. support for the safety, health, education, and protection of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons fleeing war, persecution, or torture.
- Acknowledgment of aid providers: Recognizes individuals, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international agencies like the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for their lifesaving work.
- Restoration of asylum protections: Rejects bans and restrictions that limit access to asylum at U.S. borders, reaffirming protections under the Refugee Act of 1980 (a law that outlines U.S. refugee policy and aligns with international standards).
- Importance of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program: Describes it as a key tool for enhancing national and regional security and fostering international solidarity with countries hosting refugees.
- Call to lift suspension: Urges President Trump to end the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (initiated by Executive Order 14163 on January 20, 2025) and fully restore resettlement.
- Directives to U.S. officials: Instructs the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN to:
- Uphold U.S. leadership in humanitarian aid, protecting vulnerable groups from gender-based violence, torture, trafficking, persecution, and other harms.
- Partner internationally to resolve conflicts, prevent new ones, and address migration root causes.
- Support UNHCR and NGOs in protecting refugees regardless of origin, race, ethnicity, or religion.
- Provide aid to host countries, advocate for refugee access to education and jobs, and include refugees in policy-making.
- Meet robust refugee admission goals, fulfill 2023 Global Refugee Forum pledges, address barriers for refugees with disabilities, and reaffirm World Refugee Day goals.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives, so it introduces no legal changes or amendments to existing laws. It references and reinforces prior laws like the Refugee Act of 1980 but does not alter them. Instead, it critiques executive actions (e.g., the 2025 refugee suspension and travel ban under Proclamation 10949) as inconsistent with those laws and international obligations.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could pressure the State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS, which handles immigration enforcement), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, which supports refugee resettlement) to prioritize refugee programs, potentially leading to policy reviews or increased funding requests. It highlights stranded refugees (over 100,000 conditionally approved) and risks from aid cuts.
- On citizens: May encourage community and faith-based support for refugees through initiatives like the terminated Welcome Corps sponsorship program, while noting refugees' economic contributions (e.g., $581 billion in revenue from 2005–2019 per HHS data) and role in filling labor shortages.
- On international relations: Signals U.S. intent to lead on humanitarian issues, potentially strengthening ties with UNHCR, host countries (e.g., in Latin America, Africa), and allies, but could strain relations with the current administration if seen as oppositional. It addresses specific crises (e.g., Syria, Ukraine, Sudan) and criticizes selective resettlement (e.g., prioritizing Afrikaners over others).
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Refugees and displaced persons: Primary beneficiaries, including over 123 million globally (e.g., Syrians, Ukrainians, Afghans, Sudanese, Venezuelans, Rohingya, and those from Gaza, Haiti, DRC, and the Sahel), with focus on vulnerable groups like women, girls, children, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
- U.S. government officials and agencies: Targeted for action, including the President, cabinet secretaries, and UN ambassador.
- International organizations and NGOs: UNHCR, aid groups, and refugee resettlement organizations praised and called upon for partnership.
- Host countries and communities: Low- and middle-income nations bearing 73% of refugees; U.S. communities, businesses, and citizens who support or integrate refugees.
- Asylum seekers in the U.S.: Protected under non-refoulement (a principle prohibiting return to places of harm) and due process rights.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal implications: Reinforces U.S. obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention (which defines refugees as those fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, politics, or social group) and domestic laws like the Refugee Act of 1980. It argues that bans on admissions or asylum violate these, including the right to seek protection without barriers.
- Constitutional implications: Cites the U.S. Constitution's due process protections for all persons in U.S. jurisdiction (not just citizens), opposing deportations or detentions without fair hearings. It deems religion- or nationality-based bans unconstitutional.
- Political implications: Introduced by a large bipartisan group (over 40 representatives) but sharply criticizes the Trump administration's policies (e.g., refugee suspension, travel ban from 19 countries, aid cuts, and selective resettlement), positioning it as a call for bipartisan humanitarian leadership amid a record displacement crisis. Referred to Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, it may influence future debates but lacks enforcement power as a resolution.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (51)
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] and 1 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-23: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world. — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (11 pages)