WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intervene in restoring a refugee resettlement program he previously supported as a Republican senator from Florida, after the Trump administration halted its operations.
In a letter obtained first by POLITICO, a group of lawmakers urged Mr. Rubio to use his authority to reverse the pause on Reception and Placement (R&P) services, which assist refugees in rebuilding their lives in the United States.
On his first day in office, President Donald J. Trump moved to suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program indefinitely and froze “foreign development assistance.” But Democrats argue that refugee resettlement does not fall under that category, as it aids individuals already in the United States rather than abroad.
They cited the 32,000 refugees who resettled in the country through the Refugee Admissions Program in fiscal year 2025, many of whom are still eligible for support under the R&P program. They also pointed to Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and now require assistance as they navigate the resettlement process.
“The stop-work orders undermine legal obligations that the Department has entered into through its contracts with U.S.-based and intergovernmental organizations, increasing new arrivals’ vulnerability to homelessness and food insecurity at a time when they still have no lifeline for support,” the lawmakers wrote.
The letter was signed by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, as well as Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Sen. Alex Padilla of California, the ranking members of each panel’s immigration subcommittee.
Mr. Rubio has not publicly commented on the request.
