- Between now and October 1st,

the Trump administrationmust decide how many refugees

to allow into the U S next year.

In the last three years,

it has slashed the number dramatically.

Our report from OpenDoors USA and World Relief

in July showed a 90% reduction

since 2015 in the number

of Christian refugeesthe U S has resettled

from countries where thechurch faces persecution.

And we're joined now by JenSmyres at church World Service.

She's the director of policy and advocacy

for its immigration and refugee program.

Jen, thanks for joining us today.

Tell us about the impactin the last four years

of this severe reduction ofrefugees coming to the U S.

- Well that's right.

Refugee resettlement numbersare now at an all time low

in the United States.

And what that has meant is that people

in harm's way who literallyhave no other option for safety,

some have died, someare still in harm's way,

many have been promisedby the United States

that they would be ableto be reunited with

their family members.

These are people whohave already been vetted,

who have already been approved,

who are supposed to comein in 2017 and are still

without safety, are stillnot with their families.

And that's had a devastatingimpact for those individuals,

as well as for the communities,

including churchesacross the United States

that have pledged to welcome them.

- Wow well, this administrationregularly promotes events

and programs that doencourage religious liberty.

Why do you think it has closedthe door to so many refugees,

including so many Christiansfleeing persecution?

- It's really unclearbecause like you said,

the administration has claimed

to support people who arefleeing religious persecution

and yet with the numbers,

we're seeing such few refugees coming in.

There are only 946 Christiansfleeing religious persecution

resettled this year, whichis the lowest it's ever been.

There are only 13 Zedswho are fleeing ISIS

and the torture and traumathat they've endured.

There are only 222 Muslim

or hunger refugees who are fleeing Burma.

So those who are fleeingpersecution are not being welcomed

by the United States likethey traditionally have been.

And the refugee resettlementprogram was set up

to help these individuals,

churches came together with government

and decided to create thisprogram, it's a strong program

and unfortunately theadministration has just chosen

to not only not use it,but to dismantle it.

- So Jen, what are youhearing about what kind

of decision the Trumpadministration might make this year?

What is the conversationlooking like at this point?

- We don't have anyindication of the numbers

that they will set,

but we certainly hope that they will take

into account the tremendouseconomic contributions

that refugees bring to the United States

when they're resettled here.

Right now, during this pandemic,

there are more than 175,000refugees who are working

in the health sector.

There are another 175,000 refugees working

in the food supply industry,

helping all of us when we need it most.

And we're hoping that they'll take

into consideration those pieces,

as well as religious minorities,

Hong Kong refugees who arepro democracy protesters,

and other populations who are really

in desperate need of this care,

as well as the many people

of faith across the countrywho support this program

and want to see it restored.

- Okay. And speaking of restoration,

I know the historic normhas been saying 95,000.

If the Trump administrationwere to decide to move back up

to that level, what wouldthat look like given

that so many agencieshave had to close offices,

refugee resettlementagencies in the U S have had

to close offices, lay off workers,

What would that look liketrying to even ramp up again?

- Well, where there'sa will, there's a way.

And if the administrationdecided to restore this program,

to rebuild it, to returnit to those historic norms,

there would be an investment required

to really turn the lightsback on internationally

and domestically to makesure that we can again,

have this program that has taken churches

and the government decades

to build has been dismantledin just a few short years,

but that can be donewith the political will

and we know that there'sa will across the country

from faith communities who've been

doing this work for decades.

- All right, Jen Smyresdefinitely something to watch.

Thank you for your time.- Thank you so much.