America's Refugee Resettlement Process Is Broken. Now Private Citizens Can Help Fix It.
A new State Department initiative will let American citizens sponsor refugees fleeing danger.
Refugees
Video of Amanpour & Co. TV Interview on Uniting for Ukraine and Private Refugee Sponsorship
The interview covers the Uniting for Ukraine program, the expansion of private refugee sponsorship to cover migrants from elsewhere, and various potential objections to these policies.
Addressing Some Common Questions and Misconceptions About Uniting for Ukraine and Other Private Migrant Sponsorship Programs
Responses to some of the most common queries I have gotten.
Assessing Biden's New Immigration Policies
Analysts differ on whether their net impact is more pro-immigration or more restrictionist. On balance, I think the former is closer to the truth. But there is some uncertainty here.
Biden Expands Uniting for Ukraine Private Refugee Sponsorship Model to Include up to 30,000 Migrants Per Month from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti
The move is a step in the right direction. But it has limitations and is combined with harmful "border enforcement" measures.
My New Washington Post Article on the Uniting for Ukraine Private Refugee Sponsorship Program
The article explains why the progam is a major improvement over previous policies, and how it can be further improved and made a model for refugee policy generally.
Is Biden Playing a Double Game on Title 42 "Public Health" Expulsions of Migrants?
The Administration claims to want to end the policy. But, as Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell points out, it is actually expanding its use.
Review: When Americans Turned Their Backs on Holocaust Refugees
The U.S. and the Holocaust condemns anti-refugee policies of the World War II era.
David Bier on "What Biden Has Gotten Right on Immigration Policy"
There is much to criticize in Biden's record on immigration issues. But the administration has also made some major improvements.
Uniting for Ukraine Private Refugee Sponsorship Program Breaks Through Bureaucratic Red Tape
In sharp contrast to the sclerotic traditional refugee admissions program, the new private refugee sponsorship program enables Ukrainians fleeing war and repression to enter the US quickly and relatively easily. As a participating sponsor myself, I have firsthand knowledge of its effectiveness.
Give Biden Credit for Bolstering Private Refugee Resettlement
Uniting for Ukraine, a program providing private support to displaced Ukrainians, has proved more effective than the government's own resettlement efforts.
Saving Nezam From the Taliban
Green Beret Scott Mann suffered severe trauma following his three tours in Afghanistan. He never wanted to have anything to do with country again. Then his friend Nezam called to say that his life was in danger.
Closing a Bureaucratic Loophole that Harms Ukrainian Refugees
A easy-to-remedy snafu in the government's Uniting for Ukraine program is exposing some Ukrainian migrants to deportation and preventing others from working legally in the United States.
'We Have No Hope for the Future': The Afghan Helpers America Left Behind
One year after the U.S. withdrawal, tens of thousands of Afghans who assisted American forces are still stuck under Taliban rule.
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act To Help Afghan Evacuees Stay in the U.S.
But thousands of Afghans who helped U.S. forces are still stuck in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
The Rise of Private Refugee Sponsorship
The Uniting for Ukraine program and other new initiatives may open the door to a broader role for private citizens in sponsoring refugees.
Fiona Harrigan: Why Utah Republicans Bucked Trump and Biden on Afghan Refugees
Assistant Editor Fiona Harrigan explores why the Beehive State might be uniquely suited to welcome Afghan refugees.
Thousands of Lawsuits Have Been Filed Over Wait Times, Backlogs at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
While staffing up may alleviate the bottleneck, no amount of employees can keep the country's bad immigration system from working as designed.
My New Washington Post Article Making Case for US Adoption of Canadian-Style System of Private Refugee Sponsorship
We can adapt the and improve the Canadian program, which is far better than current sclerotic US system. Coauthored with Sabine El-Chidiac.
Utah Wants To Help Afghan Refugees Prosper. Will the Federal Government Get in the Way?
The federal government set the tone on the beginning of the resettlement process. It continues to keep legal status for certain evacuees out of reach.
Biden Extends Temporary Status for Some Venezuelan Refugees, Offers No Protections for Recent Arrivals
While Temporary Protected Status will last through 2024, only Venezuelans who arrived before March 2021 will be eligible.
The Case for Expanding the Legal Definition of "Refugee"
The narrow definition allows governments to expel numerous migrants fleeing violence, terrorism, forced labor, and other severe oppression.
This Political Dissident Faces Death Threats if He Goes Back to Nicaragua. Why Was His Asylum Claim Denied?
Nicaraguan government operatives threatened Mario Rajib Flores Molina with torture and imprisonment. A new court ruling has revived his pursuit of asylum in the United States.
America's Harsh Immigration Restrictions Mean Haitians Drown Trying To Get Here
Their deaths are the tragic, predictable consequence of shutting down safer migration paths.
Over 45,000 Americans Have Applied To Sponsor Displaced Ukrainians
In just over a month, the Uniting for Ukraine private sponsorship program has attracted huge support.
A Double Standard Between Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees?
Critics allege, with some justice, that the Biden Administration is treating the former more favorably than the latter. If so, the right solution is to increase openness to Afghans and others fleeing war and repression, not bar more Ukrainians.
Court Won't Let CDC End Migrant Expulsion Order Just Yet
Plus: Book bans come for Barnes & Noble, a blow to SEC enforcement power, and more...
Strict U.S. Immigration Laws Leave Migrants Dependent on Human Smugglers
Human smugglers at Mexican border won’t be sought after if migrants can come to the U.S. legally.
Ukrainians Find Refuge in Previously Unwelcoming Places
Nearly 4 million people fled Ukraine in the first month after the February 24 invasion, and thousands have left each day since.
Biden Administration Takes Incremental Steps to Open Doors to Ukrainian and Russian Refugees
The new policies include private refugee sponsorship for Ukrainians, and a possible plan to facilitate visas for Russians with high-tech skills. But much more remains to be done.
Americans Can Now Sponsor Ukrainians for Temporary Refuge in the U.S.
Though the program has flaws, it’s an innovative way for private citizens to get directly involved in resettlement efforts for fleeing Ukrainians.
Ukraine and Double Standards on Refugees
Critics are right to point out that some Western nations are treating Ukrainian refugees better than those fleeing similar horrific situations elsewhere. But the right way to address the problem is to increase openness to other refugees, not exclude Ukrainians.
New Globe and Mail Article on How and Why Canada Should Open its Doors to More Ukrainian and Russian Refugees
I coauthored it with Canadian immigration policy expert Sabine El-Chidiac.
The U.S. Only Resettled 12 Ukrainian Refugees Last Month
The U.S. has taken in more Ukrainians through other migration pathways, but the low refugee tally shows how ill-prepared the U.S. refugee resettlement program was to help Ukrainians.
Two Illiberal and Unjust Zelensky Policies the West Should Force Him to End
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is leading his nation a just cause. But we should not allow him to impose censorship and emigration bans in the process. A nation fighting for freedom must not undermine it.
In Afghanistan, Private Aid Fills Void Left by Bureaucratic Failure
Small, private groups are working to feed the hungry and evacuate the endangered.
US and Canada Expand Admission of Ukrainian Refugees
But bureaucratic obstacles and other constraints might reduce the effectiveness of these policies. More needs to be done to open the door to Ukrainian refugees, and also to Russians fleeing Vladimir Putin's increasingly oppressive regime.
U.S. Plans To Welcome 100,000 Fleeing Ukrainians
Officials must ensure that America's lethargic refugee processing and lengthy family-based visa backlogs can effectively handle the people they seek to help.
10 Million Ukrainians Have Been Displaced By the War. The U.S. Has Taken in 690 Ukrainian Refugees.
Plus: A Florida arms manufacturer is donating weapons to Ukraine's defense effort, China eases up on its "COVID Zero" policies, and Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearings begin today...
Risking Their Lives to Rescue Afghans Left Behind
Inside the volunteer effort to save the stranded men and women who worked with the U.S. military
Officials Won't Let Some Ukrainian and Russian Ship Crews Enter the U.S. Because They Might Try To Stay
Now is the time to welcome vulnerable Russians and Ukrainians, not turn them away.
My New York Times Article Making the Moral and Strategic Case for Accepting Ukrainian Refugees - and Russian Migrants, too
The article also addresses some potential objections.
Companies and Private Citizens Are Stepping Up To Help Ukrainians
Private actors often provide more efficient and localized help in times of need, and they’re doing so in full force right now.
Dispatch From Ukraine: 'Let's Go. Let's Not Go.'
A New Orleans native tells Reason what it’s like under siege in his adoptive home of Dnipro, Ukraine.
Biden Grants Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians in the US
It's a step in the right direction. But more can be done to protect Ukrainians fleeing Putin's brutal war.
Nonwhite Ukrainian Refugees Complain of Unequal Treatment at Borders
Countries across Europe have been praised for their warm welcome toward Ukrainian refugees. But are all refugees treated equally?
Europe Readies Itself for a Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
European nations are stepping up to help Ukrainians flee Russian aggression.
