Dear John,

Today we mark the fortieth anniversary of the United States Refugee Act of 1980, the landmark piece of legislation that established the contemporary U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. On March 17, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed the Act into law. 

Today we remember what this legislation has meant to our country, while at the same time we grapple with the harsh reality that many of the basic refugee protections codified in the Act are under serious threat. 

Watch our new video and learn more about the Refugee Act and its enduring impact on refugees today.

The Refugee Act of 1980 is a reminder of the positive changes legislation can make when there is a shared commitment to our nation’s foundational value of being a place of refuge, and what we as a country can accomplish when people of all faiths and political persuasions come together to “welcome the stranger.” 

We hope you will join us in marking this day by watching our newest video and then taking action for today’s refugees.