Determining the Number of Refugees to Be Resettled in the United States: An Ethical and Policy Analysis of Policy-Level Stakeholder Views

Rachel Fabia Center for Bioethics and Humanities, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USACorrespondence[email protected]

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3027-7812 View further author information

Daniel Serwerb American Foreign Policy and Conflict Management Programs, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, DC, USAView further author information

Namrita S. Singhc Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USAView further author information

Govind Persadd Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USAView further author information

Paul Spiegelc Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA;e Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USAView further author information

Leonard Rubensteine Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA;f Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Baltimore, MD, USA;g Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USAView further author information

Abstract

Through engagement with key informants and review of ethical theories applicable to refugee policy, this paper examines the ethical and policy considerations that policy-level stakeholders believe should factor into setting the refugee resettlement ceiling. We find that the ceiling traditionally has been influenced by policy goals, underlying values, and practical considerations. These factors map onto several ethical approaches to resettlement. There is significant alignment between U.S. policy interests and ethical obligations toward refugees. We argue that the refugee ceiling should be restored to historical norms, and that there exists a corresponding obligation to counter negative public perceptions about refugees and the costs of resettlement.

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This work was supported by a Johns Hopkins University “Exploration of Practical Ethics” grant.

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Determining the Number of Refugees to Be Resettled in the United States: An Ethical and Policy Analysis of Policy-Level Stakeholder Views

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Determining the Number of Refugees to Be Resettled in the United States: An Ethical and Policy Analysis of Policy-Level Stakeholder Views

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