Open Doors US and World Relief Release ‘State of the Golden Door’ Report on Immigration Rates for those Fleeing Religious Persecution
Refugee Resettlement Growing but Asylum Process Fraught
SANTA ANA, Calif., October 14, 2024 — Open Doors US (ODUS) and World Relief (WR), two international ministries who as part of their calling serve people fleeing religious persecution, presented their new "State of the Golden Door” Report today, calling attention to critical gaps in the U.S. asylum system. While the number of people who have been displaced by persecution, violence, human rights violations and disruptions of public order has skyrocketed to 120 million globally for the first time in recorded history, the number of those welcomed for resettlement in the U.S. has not kept pace.
“Our hope and prayer is that this report equips and challenges fellow Christians to ensure that their witness remains strong in such a time as this,” said Ryan Brown, president and CEO of Open Doors US. “Christians around the world face persecution and many have been forced to flee their homes. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, who desperately need our advocacy and prayers.”
The report tracks the resettlement of Christian refugees from the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution and discrimination, as listed in Open Doors’ annual World Watch List. That number increased from 5,390 in fiscal year 2020 to 29,493 in fiscal year 2024, representing a 447 percent increase and the highest number of Christian refugees resettled from these 50 countries since 2016.
"We’re encouraged by the dramatic revival of the U.S. refugee resettlement program over the past few years, which has allowed the United States to offer refuge and welcome to more persecuted Christians in 2024 than in any year since 2016. Beyond refugee resettlement, as the Congress and both the current and next administration address the security and humanitarian challenges at the border, our commitment to protecting those with well-founded fears of persecution must remain non-negotiable," said Myal Greene, President and CEO of World Relief. "As a nation, we cannot turn our backs on those seeking refuge from religious oppression. The price of inaction is far too high."
The report encourages U.S. Christians to stand with those who face persecution, both in prayer and in advocacy, and includes testimonies from resettled refugees, asylees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Algeria, Burma, Iran, Mexico and Pakistan.
While there has been improvement in refugee resettlement rates during the Biden administration, World Relief and Open Doors US note serious concerns with new asylum regulations that restrict access to asylum for persecuted Christians and others who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border. They urge both the Harris and Trump campaigns to commit to sustaining this relatively high level of refugee resettlement, with a particular concern for those fleeing persecution on account of their faith, alongside those fleeing persecution for other reasons.
Along with the release of the report, a press conference held today included commentary on the report and the connections between international religious freedom and U.S. refugee and asylum policies from international religious freedom experts. The following are quotes from leaders who spoke on the call:
Bishop Mark Seitz, Catholic Diocese of El Paso, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration:
“I am grateful to World Relief and Open Doors for their continued efforts to shine a light on the persecution suffered by Christians and others across the globe, including through this excellent new report. Beyond simply acknowledging such persecution for the injustice that it is, I deeply appreciate the report’s unapologetic recognition that a failure to respond adequately to the needs of those fleeing such abuse is an affront to God himself, who forms each of us in his own image.”
Knox Thames, former senior official at U.S. Department of State on religious freedom during the Obama and Trump Administrations, and author of Ending Persecution: Charting the Path to Global Religious Freedom:
“America's tradition of resettling those fleeing religious persecution reflects US interests and values. For instance, the US has a long history of providing refuge to those escaping religious persecution, from the first settlers fleeing persecution in Europe to Soviet Jews in the 20th century to Iranian Christians in the 21st century. Providing a haven for persecuted Christians and others suffering for their beliefs rescues people from harm while providing time to press for human rights reforms that can take years. As the report makes clear, a robust US refugee resettlement program saves lives.”
Nadine Maenza, President, International Religious Freedom Secretariat:
“When the U.S. drops their [refugee admission] numbers, countries around the world all drop their numbers… So when we close our doors, guess what happens? Other countries close their doors, and it becomes an even larger problem in the world… More countries in the world should open their doors, and we have this opportunity to be a leader in providing refuge for those fleeing persecution.”
Through the State of the Golden Door Report and briefing, the organizations encourage policymakers, presidential candidates and everyday Christians to pray for persecuted individuals worldwide and to advocate for policies that prioritize religious freedom, sustain refugee resettlement, and ensure fair asylum processes.
The full report is available at www.worldrelief.org/goldendoor. Members of the media may view a recording of today’s press briefing here.
About Open Doors US
For more than 60 years, Open Doors US has worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians. Open Doors US works to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and equips the Western church to advocate for the persecuted. Christians are one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. For more information, visit OpendoorsUS.org.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for 80 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org.
-30-
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934