WASHINGTON – Congressman Gary Peters has announced a bill to reform the Refugee Act on its 31st anniversary. The Refugee Act helps assist political, ethnic and religious refugees around the world.

The system that distributes funds for refugees is out of date and inefficient according to a report released by Peter’s office. Refugee advocates have praised Peter’s legislation as an enormous step forward. In 2009 more than 2,300 Iraqi refugees were resettled in Michigan. Earlier this week Peters sent a letter to his colleagues in Congress urging them to support the new bill.

“The immigrant and refugee communities here in Michigan have been a crucial part of our strength and identity for generations,” Peters said.  He says the program has enabled countless refugees to make the transition from persecution abroad to self-sufficiency in the American economy. Making the program more effective will enable Congress to assist more refugees more effectively and at a lower cost to taxpayers Peters says.