Biden Listens to Critics, Shakes Off Optics, Welcomes 4X More Refugees

In another sign that he’ll make America live up to its promise, President Joe Biden today (1) listened to critics within his own party and (2) more than quadrupled the number of refugees he will allow to enter the greatest country in the world:

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday he has resurrected a plan to raise refugee admissions this year to 62,500 after drawing a wave of criticism from supporters for initially keeping the refugee cap at a historically low level.

…In a statement, Biden said his action “erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America’s values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.”

“It is important to take this action today to remove any lingering doubt in the minds of refugees around the world who have suffered so much, and who are anxiously waiting for their new lives to begin,” he said [Steve Holland and Mica Rosenberg, “Biden Heeds Complaints, Lifts Refugee Cap to 62,500,” Reuters, 2021.05.03].

People who love America, Jesus, or both should relish this renewed opportunity to turn values into action:

President Biden has reaffirmed what so many Americans have long known – refugees are welcome here and are a blessing to our communities. The new admissions ceiling reflects our core values as a welcoming nation, and finally aligns public policy with the unprecedented global need of millions forced from their home by violence, war, and persecution. As leader of the free world, the United States has a moral obligation to address this crisis – it’s incredibly heartening to once again see an administration who takes our nation’s humanitarian responsibilities seriously. The work of rebuilding the infrastructure has been underway and will accelerate thanks to President Biden’s determination today to revitalize refugee resettlement.

…The challenge of ramping up admissions to this level is daunting, but America has risen to the occasion before, and given the global need, we must do it again. Not only is there federal support for this lifesaving work, there is also strong community support across the country and across the political spectrum. Generations of Americans have opened their doors and their hearts to refugees, and their presence has made rural towns and urban centers safer, more vibrant, and economically stronger communities. The innumerable faith congregations that make up our network of support for refugees resettled in their communities can celebrate today that they will once again welcome new families [Krish O-Mara Vignarajah, president/CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, press release, 2021.05.03].

President Biden at first wasn’t going to raise the refugee cap, because he was worried about the optics of opening our doors wider while facing an already increasing surge of immigrants at our southern border. His fellow Democrats raised holy heck, calling that balk “unacceptable”, “unconscionable,” and “shameful.” The last guy who held Biden’s job would have gone on a Twitter tirade, throwing all sorts of insults, lies, and primary threats at any party members who dared criticize their Dear Leader’s absolute rectitude. President Biden fired no torpedoes at his critical fellow Democrats: he listened, he realized he was wrong, and he changed his policy.

Ah, how nice to have a functional and moral Executive Branch again….