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. 775
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2897-2899)
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T19:52:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to supporting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons both domestically and internationally. It recognizes World Refugee Day on June 20, 2026, and the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, while highlighting global displacement statistics and calling for policy actions to address refugee crises.
Key Provisions
- Acknowledges over 117 million displaced people worldwide as of late 2025, including specific figures for refugees from Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan, Venezuela, Haiti, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rohingya, and the Sahel region.
- Emphasizes that most refugees seek asylum rather than resettlement and notes the legal obligations under U.S. and international law, including the principle of non-refoulement.
- Highlights the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program's role in national security, foreign policy, and supporting host countries.
- Expresses concern over the indefinite suspension of refugee admissions via Executive Order 14163, the fiscal year 2026 admissions cap of 7,500 (with over 95% allocated to Afrikaners from South Africa), and cuts to foreign assistance.
- Notes stranded approved refugees, including over 100,000 conditionally approved, 22,000 ready for departure, and specific cases like Afghan allies.
- Outlines the resolved statements, which include:
- Recognizing the need for fair policies on forced migration.
- Reaffirming support for refugee education, protection, and due process.
- Honoring aid workers and organizations like the UNHCR.
- Calling for restoration of asylum protections under the Refugee Act of 1980.
- Urging the President to lift the admissions suspension.
- Directing the Secretaries of State, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, plus the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, to uphold humanitarian leadership, partner internationally, support the UNHCR, aid host countries, include refugees in solutions, meet admissions goals, implement Global Refugee Forum pledges, address disabilities, and mark World Refugee Day.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This is a non-binding Senate resolution and introduces no amendments to existing statutes. It references and seeks to reinforce the Refugee Act of 1980 and U.S. treaty obligations without altering any laws.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: It urges the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, along with the UN Ambassador, to prioritize refugee assistance, restore admissions, and coordinate with international partners.
- On citizens: It notes refugees' economic contributions (estimated $581 billion in revenue from 2005–2019) and their integration into communities.
- On international relations: It promotes U.S. leadership in global refugee response, support for host countries (often low- and middle-income nations), and collaboration with the UNHCR to address root causes of displacement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Refugees and displaced persons worldwide, including specific groups from conflict zones.
- U.S. government agencies responsible for admissions, asylum, and foreign aid.
- International organizations such as the UNHCR and nongovernmental aid groups.
- Refugee-hosting countries and frontline nations.
- U.S. communities that resettle refugees.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The resolution states that the Constitution protects all individuals in U.S. jurisdiction with due process rights, regardless of citizenship. It asserts that suspension of admissions, religion- or nationality-based restrictions, and blanket asylum limits conflict with the Refugee Act of 1980, treaty obligations, and international human rights norms. It frames refugee resettlement as aligned with U.S. national security and humanitarian interests.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (27)
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [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. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2897-2899)
- 2026-06-17: Submitted 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 2026-06-17 — PDF (11 pages)