Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday announced introduction of a resolution that seeks to recognize the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities by the Islamic State as genocide.

The resolution, co-introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., calls for the U.S. to “prioritize providing refugee status to such persecuted families and individuals.”

A press release from Gabbard’s office notes that the resolution comes as Pope Francis made a historic address to the U.S. Congress Thursday.

“Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War,” said the pontiff.

“Christians, Yezidis, and other minority groups in the Middle East are being targeted specifically because of their religious beliefs, and face forced conversions to Islam, mass abductions, sexual enslavements, and executions due to this ISIL-inflicted genocide,” said Gabbard. “As the U.S. and international community consider lengthy procedures to address the rapidly growing international refugee crisis, these people continue to be targets of this genocide.”

Europe has been overwhelmed with immigration in recent months, notably from war-torn Syria.

The U.S. State Department has announced plans to increase the number of refugees it resettles in the country.

Read the full text of Gabbard’s resolution.