Washington, DC. (June 26, 2018) — The American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS), on behalf of its member organizations representing the broader Syrian-American humanitarian community, expresses its disappointment in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Trump v Hawaii case, which has upheld the latest iteration of the executive order commonly known as the Muslim Ban. This decision effectively restricts travel on many visa types for the nationals of seven different countries, including Syria.
Washington, DC. (April 10, 2018) — The American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS) condemns Saturday’s chemical attack in Douma, Syria, that killed at least 42 people. The victims’ symptoms, according to ARCS member Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), indicated that they suffocated from exposure to toxic chemicals. Over 500 people, most of them women and children, were rushed to nearby medical facilities also with symptoms indicative of chemical gas exposure.
(February 22, 2018) More than 300 civilians have been killed by the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian allies in the last 72 hours in an extermination campaign against the civilians of besieged Eastern Ghouta.
February 12th, 2018 (Washington, D.C.)--Over the past weeks humanitarian organizations on the ground have been witnessing some of the most intense and distressing scenes since the conflict started. Recent reports of chemical weapons attacks and airstrikes targeting hospitals attest to the deterioration of any semblance of safety or security on the ground. Members of the American Relief Coalition for Syria (ARCS) urgently appeal to the international community and all conflicting parties to halt violence and cease the intentional targeting of schools, hospitals, and other civilian areas.
Washington, DC (January 31, 2018)- Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it is renewing, but not redesignating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria. While we, as Syrian American organizations, are reassured by the renewal which will allow Syrians with current-TPS status to remain inside the country, we are deeply disturbed by the failure of the Administration to redesignate TPS--a decision that will prevent nearly 2,000 non-TPS-holders already living in the United States from applying for TPS.
At the end of January 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to decide if they will cancle or continue Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria. TPS is a program that allows thousands of Syrians to live and work legally in the United States.
Washington, DC (January 9, 2018)- The American Relief Coalition for Syria, a coalition of 13 Syrian-American relief organizations, joins with the many other groups calling on the US government to re-designate and renew TPS for Syria. At the end of the month the US government will decide the fate of around 6,000 Syrians with temporary protected status (TPS) living in the United States.
For Immediate Release American Relief Coalition for Syria: info(at)arcsyria
Humanitarian Aid Workers in Starving Eastern Ghouta Available for Interview
November 1st, 2017 (Washington, D.C.) -- Over the past weeks, reports have emerged detailing the tragic situation in the besieged Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta, with images of emaciated children and stories of starvation bringing to light the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. Members of the American Relief Coalition for Syria have expressed frustration and grave concern with the lack of humanitarian access for civilians trapped in Eastern Ghouta, which has been under a stifling siege for the past four years.
Washington, DC (September 15, 2017)- News reports this week claim that the US government is considering a huge shift in refugee resettlement policy by capping the number of admitted refugees at 50,000. This change in policy would have a widespread negative impact on current refugee communities within the US and on global perceptions of our country. Members of the American Relief Coalition for Syria from across the country are calling on the Trump administration to reject this historically low number and ensure at least 75,000 refugees will be admitted next year.