Congresswoman Ramirez, Senator Markey Introduce Destination Reception Assistance Act to Support Local Governments Reception of New Arrivals
The bicameral legislation is co-led by Representatives Meng and Espaillat and co-sponsored by Senators Durbin and Duckworth
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced the Destination Reception Assistance Act to expand the federal government’s role in the reception of new arrivals by local governments. The legislation would establish the Destination Reception Services Program, a new fund to promote self-sufficiency; reduce costs of extended emergency shelter; provide diversion from homelessness; and promote the effective navigation and compliance of the immigration process. The new program would complement the existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program that provides critical support such as food, water, shelter, and medical treatment to new immigrants following their release from the Department of Homeland Security.
By promoting self-sufficiency, the Destination Reception Services Program will take pressure off of states, localities, and non-profit emergency providers and free up public resources for everyone. Access to shelter, housing, workforce development, and other support services will allow new migrant neighbors and communities to thrive.
“In IL-03, we have remained committed to welcoming asylum seekers and providing them with the support they need to contribute to our nation. But the federal government must do more to support our communities,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “I am excited to co-lead the bicameral Destination Reception Assistance Act to expand federal support for states and local governments, like Illinois and Chicago, and non-profit organizations providing life-saving services to asylum seekers and parolees. I stand ready to continue the fight for more resources to assist new arrivals, as well as for work permits and a pathway to citizenship for those who have been part of our communities' fabric for decades.”
“The United States is a nation built on the dreams of immigrant families who came here looking to build a better life,” said Senator Markey. “The Destination Reception Assistance Act is a transformative community-based solution that would address the humanitarian needs of new arrivals in Massachusetts and states in every corner of the country. Our American economy is strong as a direct result of new Americans and immigrants. What unites us is the unshakeable belief that no matter where you come from, no matter your circumstances, you deserve to live safely, be treated with respect, and have access to the opportunities our nation offers, and this legislation makes that pledge a reality. I thank Representatives Meng, Espaillat, and Ramirez for their partnership on this legislation that puts new arrivals on the path to their American Dream.”
“Immigrants come to the United States in search of safety and refuge, many of them fleeing from dangerous conditions in their home countries and making arduous journeys,” said Representative Meng. “Our immigration system needs the resources to process and receive all the people who come here in humane and orderly ways. This increasingly includes the work of local and state government agencies as well as non-profit organizations, like those in my home state of New York, which serve individuals who are navigating the immigration process. The Destination Reception Assistance Act would ensure that the federal government is doing its part to support communities welcoming immigrants and providing them with temporary housing, legal aid, job training, and other help they may need. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this long-overdue legislation to make our immigration system more orderly, efficient, and welcoming.”
“I am proud to co-lead the introduction of the Destination Reception Assistance Act,” said Representative Espaillat. “This innovative bill would provide billions in new funding to assist cities and localities across the nation that are the ‘final destination’ for asylum seekers—including in New York City. In addition to helping keep families together through temporary economic relief, this new legislation would supplement the existing ‘Shelter and Services Program’ and allow cities to welcome asylum seekers with dignity by providing them with longer-term assistance as they find work and integrate into American life. Our bill provides a lifeline to asylum seeking families who have fled unspeakable harm and come to America to work and pursue the American dream.”
“Asylum seekers entering the U.S. often have little to no support system, having fled their home country under dire circumstances. As they come to the U.S. hoping to build a new life, safe from persecution, we must uphold our country’s commitment as a welcoming nation for asylum seekers,” said Senator Durbin. “The Destination Reception Assistance Act would establish a new grant program to help state and local governments assist new arrivals and settle them into their new life.”
“It is our responsibility to not only welcome families and individuals seeking safety and asylum in our country, but to also make sure they are set up for success when starting their new lives in America,” Senator Duckworth said. “To this end, FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program has been invaluable, and I’m proud to join my colleague Senator Markey in introducing his Destination Reception Assistance Act to build upon it. This piece of legislation will reduce costs for cities like Chicago while ensuring that asylum seekers and parolees have access to critical resources to find stable jobs and adequate housing and to achieve self-sufficiency as they go through the legal immigration process.”
The Destination Reception Assistance Act would establish in the Office of Refugee Resettlement a new Destination Reception Services Program New Arrival Services Board and authorize a grant program to provide funding for medium-term services to asylum seekers and parolees, including noncustodial housing services, rental and utility assistance, and workforce development services. The New Arrival Services Board would award competitive grants and federal block grants to communities that provide eligible services to asylum seekers and parolees. Communities receiving funding through federal block grants would be eligible to receive $1 of federal funding for every $1 of non-federal funding.
In the House of Representatives, the legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), André Carson (IN-07), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Cori Bush (MO-01), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Judy Chu (CA-28).
The Destination Reception Assistance Act is cosponsored bySenators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).
The Destination Reception Assistance Act is endorsed by Amnesty International USA, Women’s Refugee Commission, Refugees International, International Rescue Committee, National Partnership for New Americans, Church World Service, Friends Committee on National Legislation, American Immigration Lawyers Association, International Refugee Assistance Project, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Save the Children, National Immigration Law Center, United We Dream, Human Rights First, United Church of Christ, MomsRising, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Refugee Congress, Jesuit Refugee Service USA, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Oasis Legal Services, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Refugee Advocacy Lab, HIAS, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, International Institute of New England, MIRA Coalition, Immigration Hub, Alianza Americas, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Interfaith Welcome Coalition of San Antonio, Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Advocates for Human Rights, Ascentria Care Alliance, National Immigrant Justice Center, Vera Institute of Justice, Illinois Community for Displaced Migrants, and Make the Road NY