On the recordSeptember 28, 2023
The Department of State through the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration funds the transportation of refugees admitted into the United States Refugee Admissions Program for resettlement to the United States through IOM. Refugees admitted into the program and ready for travel to the United States receive interest-free loans from IOM to pay for their transportation from their overseas location to their domestic resettlement site. Upon accepting the travel loan, refugees sign a promissory note to repay the loan over time. The transportation is provided in the form of a loan, not a grant because the core belief of the program is that refugees' financial participation in making repayments against their debt will strengthen their determination to make a success of their migration. In a melting pot like the United States, which some have probably forgotten, I shouldn't have to remind anyone of the valuable contributions of refugees to our Nation. Maybe I do need to remind the other side of this. Refugees from Afghanistan, Burma, or Yemen are seeking a new, more stable home, and they deserve our support. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
