You may contact your members of Congress by email, handwritten letter and/or phone. We recommend using the method(s) that you are most comfortable with and can do most quickly, but writing a letter to your congressional representatives is one of the most effective ways to advocate for refugees and push for the full resumption of the US Refugee Admissions Program. Lawmakers listen when their constituents speak up—especially through personal, handwritten letters. Consider both an email, a handwritten letter, and a phone call.
Personalized communications can be an effective way to engage your members of Congress and influence their policy decisions. Use these tips to draft an impactful message.
Identify yourself as a constituent of theirs
Keep your message short and concise
Be yourself and share why this issue matters to you
Ask specifically what you want your representative to do
Consider hosting a letter-writing party with family, friends, and/or colleagues to amplify your message.
SUBJ: Constituent concerned about refugees
Dear Representative/Senator [LAST NAME],
My name is [NAME], and I am a constituent of your [DISTRICT/STATE]. I am writing because I am concerned about how changes to the refugee resettlement program will affect our community. I ask you to support continued humanitarian assistance to suffering people by supporting domestic and international refugee resettlement services.
The Trump Administration has suspended the refugee resettlement program and issued stop-work orders to resettlement agencies that support people who are already here. I am concerned that refugees who followed all the rules and waited a long time to get to the U.S. legally are left either stranded internationally or without the support they need in the U.S. to become self-sufficient.
This affects me as a resident of your district not only because I am fortunate to call refugees my friends and neighbors, but because refugees are important members of our community. Rather than burdening systems, refugees are more likely to bolster services by providing medical care, teaching children, caring for older people, and supporting understaffed services. Hospitals, residential homes, child-care centers, and domestic and professional cleaning services are often staffed by refugees.
As a concerned citizen, I also believe that we have an obligation to those who are suffering, whether they are our neighbors here at home, or our neighbors overseas. Thank you for your attention to these issues.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]