Advocacy
You have a voice. Let it be heard.
At CRIS, we believe that every person has a voice and the power to use it for good. Whether you are a former refugee, immigrant, or an ally, we encourage you to speak up for the continued care and support of displaced people globally, nationally, and locally in Central Ohio. There are many ways to do this; explore the options below to find out how you can play a part in advocacy for refugees and immigrants.
The Advocacy Community
Blaise Balazire is a Community Organizer with Church World Service. He partners closely with CRIS in his work to mobilize volunteer community advocates in Central Ohio and throughout the state.
Current Advocacy Action Items
Recent actions taken by the administration:
An indefinite suspension on refugee resettlement, leaving thousands of approved refugees in danger overseas and taking away their chance to reunite with their families in the U.S., despite having undergone extensive security screenings. More information about this refugee ban is in these Frequently Asked Questions.
A complete ban on asylum and other protections for people arriving at the border. The administration has authorized the military to stop people seeking protection from entering the U.S. via the southern border.
Increased detention and deportation inside the U.S. and allows ICE access in churches, hospitals, and schools.
Tell Congress & the White House that you OPPOSE Trump’s Indefinite Refugee Ban and Executive Actions Targeting Newcomers
Recent actions taken by the administration:
The abrupt halt of life-saving funds on January 24 were initiated by “Stop Work Orders” pursuant to the Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid executive order. The impact of these stop work orders range from support for victims of torture to HIV clinics to basic services for refugees who have just arrived and been resettled across the U.S. The stop work orders have also halted processing and relocations for many Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients, individuals who have been determined to be at risk overseas due to their support for the U.S. military in Afghanistan. The halt in SIV processing and resettlement comes as Pakistan has announced plans to ramp up deportations of Afghans who have fled the Taliban.
The Trump administration’s funding freeze and refugee ban has stranded thousands of refugees and SIVs overseas, often in dangerous conditions without basic support. The actions have also placed refugees recently resettled across the U.S. – those who after years of waiting amid lengthy screening and vetting processes have finally found a safe place to call home – at risk of extreme economic insecurity and homelessness.
Tell Congress and the State Department to Resume Life-Saving Funds for Refugees and End Stop Work Orders
Support local refugee and immigrant-owned businesses
Refugee-owned businesses contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and hiring workers who also contribute to the economy by producing goods and services. This constitutes their direct impact. Based on the weighted results of the refugee household survey, it is estimated that there are 873 refugee-owned businesses in the Columbus MSA employing 3,960 workers.
