Writes Letter to Sec. Leavitt
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey today wrote to Michael Leavitt, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urging him to reconsider the administration’s plans to cut funding to Pennsylvania’s Refugee Resettlement Program by over $300,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. The Pennsylvania Refugee Resettlement Program provides employment, educational, case management, health and financial support services to newly arrived refugees in the Commonwealth.
“Pennsylvania has a proud history of refugee resettlement. Since the mid-1970s, more than 100,000 refugees have made Pennsylvania their home, enriching the cultural diversity and strengthening the economy of the Commonwealth,” Senator Casey wrote. “Over time, refugees from over thirty nations have adjusted to life in Pennsylvania, naturalized as U.S. citizens and become integrated into community life.”
Senator Casey went on to write, “These cuts from your Department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement have negative repercussions not just for refugees who have already suffered from wars and conflicts, but for the communities in Pennsylvania that host them as well.”
Recently, Pennsylvania has been a leader in resettling Iraqi refugees. Due to ongoing conflict, millions of Iraqis have been driven away from their homes, including those that risked their lives and their families’ lives to assist the United States.
In the letter, Senator Casey specifically asked for information on why FY 2009 funding for Pennsylvania’s refugee resettlement was cut, how service providers can apply for emergency funds to meet their needs and how funding will be allocated for Pennsylvania for FY 2010.
Full text of the letter is below.
The Honorable Michael Leavitt
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20201
Secretary Leavitt:
I am writing today on behalf of refugee resettlement service providers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are facing FY 2009 budget cuts that undermine their ability to help refugees successfully transition to life in the United States.
For FY 2009, the federal government cut funding for Pennsylvania’s Refugee Resettlement Program by over $300,000. These cuts from your Department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) have negative repercussions not just for refugees who have already suffered from wars and conflicts, but for the communities in Pennsylvania that host them as well.
In Erie, PA, for example, Catholic Charities and the Hispanic American Council will face difficulties meeting their basic obligations towards resettling refugees. Funding available through ORR’s Unanticipated Arrivals Grant Program for 2009 will only be available next October, too late for these service providers to meet their FY 2009 needs. To make up the difference from federal cuts, the State of Pennsylvania has generously provided funds to ensure funding levels on par with FY 2007-08 levels. However, due to increased arrivals numbers and the enormous challenges service providers face, there is still a critical funding shortfall for successful refugee resettlement programs.
I understand that funding from the federal government to Pennsylvania is allocated based on the number of refugee, entrant, and asylee arrivals based on arrivals during the most recent 36th month period rather than anticipated arrivals. I would like some more clarity on how these allocation formulas work and on how much money ORR allocates per refugee. I am especially concerned given the United States’ commitment to resettle vulnerable Iraqis and Afghans. The President’s FY 2009 budget request for ORR fell $30 million short of last year’s levels despite our new obligations, which the Refugee Council of America estimated would cost an additional $68 million in FY 2009.
Pennsylvania has a proud history of refugee resettlement. Since the mid-1970s, more than 100,000 refugees have made Pennsylvania their home, enriching the cultural diversity and strengthening the economy of the Commonwealth. Over time, refugees from over thirty nations have adjusted to life in Pennsylvania, naturalized as U.S. citizens, and become integrated into community life. Recently, Pennsylvania has been a leader in resettling Iraqi refugees. Due to ongoing conflict, millions of Iraqis have been driven away from their homes, including those that risked their lives and their families’ lives to assist the United States.
Given America’s long and proud history of being a haven for those escaping persecution, we must find ways to support communities that resettle refugees. Specifically, I look forward to hearing from you on why FY 2009 funding for Pennsylvania’s refugee resettlement was cut, how service providers can apply for emergency funds, and how funding will be allocated for Pennsylvania for FY 2010 given our urgent needs.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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