At the federal level, the SJCDP requests Representatives Jerry McNerney and Josh Harder, along with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, to support a significant increase in the national refugee cap. That way, Ukrainians, Afghans, Kurds, and other victims of war can resettle in the United States. The SJCDP sincerely thanks them for the actions that they have already taken to support Ukrainian refugees, and we hope to see them take this next logical step.

At the state level, the SJCDP requests Assemblymembers Carlos Villapudua and Jim Cooper as well as Senator Susan Eggman to support the VISION Act once it goes up for a vote. Currently, countless refugees from conflict zones like Vietnam, El Salvador, Punjab, and Iraq call San Joaquin County their home. Under orders from former President Trump, ICE continues to arrest and deport refugees with criminal records, even after they do their time in prison, reintegrate into society, and start successful families. The VISION Act will protect current and future refugees from being separated from their families and deported to countries they are not safe to live in.

At the local level, the SJCDP requests our County Board of Supervisors and our individual City Councils to issue proclamations welcoming refugees to our community, as well as to make plans to support current and future refugees in San Joaquin County. These plans can range from improving translation services to promoting legal resources that help refugees gain citizenship. By taking such direct steps to support refugees, we can join Fresno, Hayward, Stanislaus County, and many more communities throughout California in showing that we are a home for all people.

Together, let’s join the growing number of communities throughout the Central Valley and the rest of America in saying: Refugees should come. Refugees should stay.