Thread by @rainyoldlady

THREAD: Fact vs. Fiction: 10 things you need to know about the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions from @worldrelief Here are the facts. (See this thread for Fiction vs Fact 5 and 6) #RefugeesWelcome #Refugees

FICTION 5: The aim of U.S. refugee policy is for refugees to return home.

FACT 5: Of 22.5 million refugees, less than 1% have access to resettlement. In 2018, 1.2 million face extreme vulnerabilities or family reunification needs for which they are in need of resettlement.

FACT 5 (cont): Fewer than 200,000 resettlement slots are available annually. Refugee resettlement of a few is necessary for the successful local integration or return of the majority of refugees. Refugee resettlement relieves pressure on host communities and brings stability.

FACT 5 (cont): Stability contributes to the condition necessary for the majority of refugees that remain in the region to either integrate locally in their host countries or return home when it is safe to do so. #refugees

FACT 5 (cont): Retreating from resettlement commitments can have dramatic consequences for the eventual safe return of refugees-prolonging and sometimes even reigniting conflict. #Refugeeswelcome #refugees

FACT 5 (cont): Conflict can reignite in the premature return of Syrian, Afghan, and Somali refugees, which could further destabilize fragile and conflict-ridden countries. Over 600,000 Afghan refugees were induced to return from Pakistan in 2016-a six fold increase from 2015.

FACT 5 (conclusion) Afghanistan struggles with growing insecurity, instability and gains by terrorist organizations. Premature returns come at a time when growing instability in Afghanistan has required an increase in U.S. troop levels (September, 2017).

FICTION 6: The number of refugees resettled is of no consequence to American interests abroad.

FACT 6: Refugee resettlement is not just a humanitarian program and a moral choice, it is a strategic imperative that promoted regional stability and global security in unstable areas

FACT 6 (cont): Refugee resettlement is a critical foreign policy & national security tool-alleviating pressures on critical allies, helping ensure the international community maintains its humanitarian obligations, encouraging responsibility, sharing, maintaining cooperation. . .

FACT 6 (cont): . . .with allies for U.S. diplomatic and intelligence operations, and sending the message to terrorist groups that the U.S. welcomes those who reject terrorist ideologies. Maintaining resettlement commitments is critical to the effectiveness of military. . .

FACT 6 (cont). . .diplomatic & intelligence operations abroad & the safety of U.S. troops. Tens of thousands of Iraqi and Afghan nationals have put their lives on the line to support intelligence gathering, operations planning and other essential services, especially translation

FACT 6 (cont). . .These individuals and their families are often targeted by terrorist groups as a direct result of their cooperation with Americans. Resettlement is instrumental in ensuring their safety-a testament to the U.S. military's commitment to leave no one behind.

FACT 6 (cont) Refugee resettlement signals support for those who seek liberty and reject ideologies antithetical to American values. Just as the U.S. offered refuge to those fleeing communist regimes during the Cold War. . .

FACT 6 (conclusion) . . .so too must the U.S. open its arms to those standing against militias and state security forces persecuting fellow citizens. The last thing terrorist organizations like ISIS want is for the U.S. to be a beacon of hope, acceptance and inclusion for Muslims