A resolution 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: S.Res. 287
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-06-18: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3473-3474)
Last Updated: 2026-07-02T19:52:00Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 287) 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.

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:

Recognizes the need for comprehensive, fair, and humane policies to address forced migration and refugee challenges.
Reaffirms bipartisan support for protecting refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons, including their education and access to safety from war, persecution, or torture.
Acknowledges the contributions of individuals, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and international agencies like the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in providing aid.
Calls for restoring asylum protections under the Refugee Act of 1980 by rejecting bans and restrictions that limit access to due process at U.S. borders.
Emphasizes the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program as a tool for enhancing national security, regional stability, and international solidarity with host countries.
Urges President Trump to end the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (initiated by Executive Order 14163 in January 2025) and resume resettlement.
Directs the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to:
Uphold U.S. leadership in humanitarian aid, focusing on vulnerable groups facing 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 beliefs.
Provide aid to frontline host countries, advocate for refugee access to education and jobs, and include refugees in policy-making.
Meet robust refugee admission goals and fulfill U.S. pledges from the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
Address barriers for refugees with disabilities through accessible services and protections.
Reaffirm World Refugee Day goals and U.S. commitment to refugee protections.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no legal changes or new laws. It reaffirms existing frameworks like the Refugee Act of 1980 (which established the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and asylum rights) and international obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, but does not amend or override them.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Could pressure the State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prioritize refugee programs, potentially leading to policy shifts if adopted broadly, though it lacks enforcement power.
On Citizens: May indirectly benefit U.S. communities by supporting refugee integration, which contributes economically (e.g., refugees generated $581 billion in revenue from 2005–2019 per HHS data) and culturally, while emphasizing protections for those already in the U.S. against deportation risks.
On International Relations: Signals U.S. intent to resume leadership in global humanitarian efforts, potentially strengthening ties with UNHCR, host countries (e.g., in low-income regions hosting 73% of refugees), and allies, but may strain relations with the current administration if seen as oppositional to its policies like the refugee admissions ban and travel restrictions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Primary beneficiaries, including over 123 million displaced people globally (e.g., Syrians, Ukrainians, Afghans, Sudanese, Venezuelans, Rohingya), with emphasis on vulnerable groups like women, girls, children, LGBTQI+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
U.S. Government Officials and Agencies: Targeted for action, including the President, cabinet secretaries, and UN Ambassador.
International Organizations and NGOs: UNHCR, refugee resettlement groups, faith-based and community organizations (e.g., Welcome Corps sponsors), which provide aid and support.
Host Countries and Communities: Low- and middle-income nations bearing most refugees, and U.S. local economies/communities that host resettled refugees.
U.S. Citizens and Businesses: Indirectly affected through economic contributions from integrated refugees and potential policy debates on immigration.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces U.S. obligations under domestic law (Refugee Act of 1980) and international treaties (1951 Refugee Convention), including the principle of non-refoulement (not returning people to places where they face harm). It critiques policies like the 2025 refugee ban and travel ban (Proclamation 10949) as inconsistent with these, potentially influencing court challenges.
Constitutional: Highlights due process protections under the U.S. Constitution for all individuals in U.S. jurisdiction, regardless of citizenship, arguing against blanket bans, religious/nationality-based exclusions, or mass deportations.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan Senate support (introduced by 23 Democrats) against Trump administration actions, such as suspending refugee admissions (stranding over 100,000 approved refugees) and selective resettlements. As a resolution referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, it serves as a symbolic call for policy reversal, potentially galvanizing advocacy but without binding force.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

Cosponsors (24)

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

Recent Actions

2025-06-18: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3473-3474)
2025-06-18: Introduced in Senate

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 2025-06-18 — PDF (10 pages)