The refugee program has enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support throughout its decades long history.

And real progress has been made in the last four years to honor that legacy -- rebuilding the program to be the strongest it's been in decades.

9/

In fact, refugee resettlement strengthens national security. In his nomination hearing, incoming Sec. of State Marco Rubio said he would support foreign policy that makes America stronger, safer, and more prosperous.

Welcoming the persecuted checks those boxes.

7/

Those detained at airports were ultimately released after an order from a judge in Brooklyn -- indicative of what might be many twists and turns on refugee policy in the years to come as executive overreach is countered by litigation.

4/

We won't know the specifics until we see the executive order itself -- so you won't see too much analysis here until we've had time to review the text.

But we can talk about what happened during the suspension in 2017 -- and what damage it might do to the refugee program.

2/

Last March, a Trump judge found that the CHNV parole program was a net benefit and Texas therefore had no standing to challenge it.

Note how in the Laken Riley bill that's currently up in the Senate, it tries to redefine how newcomers "harm" states so pesky facts won't get in the way again.

Even if Trump cuts off pathways for all of these newcomers (easier said than done), almost 2 million refugees and newcomers eligible for ORR support are already here.

ORR funding helps these new arrivals get on their feet and, in some cases, access more stable status.

5/

These programs aren't just for refugees. Cuban + Haitian entrants, asylees, Afghan SIVs + parolees, Uniting 4 Ukraine arrivals, unaccompanied children, and others are all also eligible.

4/

At the bottom of the request is approx. $1.6 billion in emergency funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Let me say a bit about why this money is so important:

2/