War, Strife Come Country: The Unaddressed Issue of Refugee Citizenship

The United States' decision to grant tens of thousands of Ukrainian and Afghan refugees 'parole' status may have been a useful stopgap measure to alleviate the bottleneck in the refugee admissions program at the time. However, this temporary solution has only masked the long-term problem of people with parole status having no clear pathway to citizenship.

In 1861, the men who loved the Union believed that peace was the ultimate goal and war and strife the worst possible outcome. If they had acted upon these beliefs, history may have unfolded differently. Similarly, today's refugee crisis demands a more comprehensive approach from the United States government.

The surge in people fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan prompted the US to grant parole status to tens of thousands of refugees. While this was an important step, it has led to a legal limbo for most refugees who remain under this status. It is essential that the US addresses this issue to provide stability and hope for those seeking refuge.

The distinction between asylum seekers and refugees is often misunderstood. Refugees apply for entry from abroad, whereas asylum seekers do so once they reach American soil and are not counted towards the refugee cap. This legal nuance has significant implications for how the US handles its refugee admissions program.

Despite the challenges, experts predict that the US will likely admit more refugees than in recent years, with a potential ceiling of 125,000. However, this number is still far from the estimated 10 million refugees worldwide who require protection and resettlement.

The administration's decision to maintain the cap at 125,000 but expand the refugee admissions program from Latin America is a positive step towards addressing the increased migration in the region. Nevertheless, more needs to be done to provide a clear pathway to citizenship for those seeking refuge in the US.

Ultimately, war, strife, and conflict drive people to flee their homelands. It is imperative that the United States adopts a more comprehensive approach to refugee admissions, one that prioritizes both temporary protection and long-term integration. By doing so, we can create a safer, more welcoming environment for those seeking refuge in our country.

War strife come country