CONGRESSMAN CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
Maryland’s 8th District
For Immediate Release
September 11, 2015
CONTACT:  Bridgett Frey – 202-225-5384
Ian Jannetta – 202-225-1527

Van Hollen Urges President Obama to Resettle More Syrian Refugees

 
Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen joined Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) and 70 of their House colleagues in urging President Barack Obama to increase State Department quotas so the United States can admit at least 100,000 refugees from the ongoing conflict in Syria.
“The number of Syrian refugees that the United States has resettled – 1,500 – is insufficient in light of the current crisis,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Obama. “We appreciate the recent announcement that your Administration plans to increase the refugee quota for 2016 and we strongly feel that such an increase must be bold, and take into account the enormity of the current crisis.”
The letter continued, “We agree with Refugee Council USA’s recent recommendation that the United States resettle a minimum of 200,000 refugees by the end of 2016, including 100,000 Syrian refugees.” 

The full text of the letter is available here.