In a letter sent to President Barack Obama Thursday, mayors from 18 cities across the nation called upon the U.S. to accept more Syrian refugees and said they would personally be willing to welcome more than the administration has so far proposed.
“As the mayors of cities across the country, we see first-hand the myriad ways in which immigrants and refugees make our communities stronger economically, socially and culturally,” the letter reads. “We will welcome the Syrian families to make homes and new lives in our cities. Indeed, we are writing to say that we stand ready to work with your Administration to do much more and to urge you to increase still further the number of Syrian refugees the United States will accept for resettlement.”
According to the letter, the mayors were largely inspired by the Pope’s recent visit to the United States, in which he urged the world’s countries to embrace more victims of the Syrian crisis.
“With Pope Francis’ visit, we are mindful of his call for greater compassion in the face of this ongoing crisis and stand with you in supporting those ‘journeying towards the hope of life,’” the plea concluded.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was among the 16 signatories. The letter was also signed by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh; Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel; and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Nearly 7.6 million people have been displaced by Syria’s civil war, according to estimates from the United Nations. Since the start of the conflict, some 4 million Syrians have fled the country and increasing number are now making the treacherous trek into Europe. As the world struggles to respond to the ongoing crisis, the U.S. has agreed to accept some 85,000 refugees next year and 100,000 in 2017. Though somewhat significant compared to the current annual cap of 70,000, many human rights advocates say far more help is needed.
Read more about the letter here.
Image Credit: Flickr User curious_e, https://flic.kr/p/qQBqjB via (CC BY-ND 2.0)