130 Organizations Urge Administration to Reverse Harmful Policies Attacking Refugee, Immigrant Communities

Washington, DC—Refugee Council USA, Welcome With Dignity campaign, and the Evacuate Our Allies Steering Committee jointly led a broad coalition of 130 national, state, and local organizations in a letter to President Trump, urging the administration to immediately reverse the recent actions that have halted or severely restricted refugee, asylum, and visa processing, particularly for Afghans, Somalis, and nationals from the nineteen travel ban countries. The letter expresses deep concern that these abrupt policy shifts – without transparency, evidence, or congressional oversight – are causing widespread fear, destabilizing families, skirting legal obligations, and undermining long-standing humanitarian commitments.

The organizations emphasize that collective punishment and vilification of Afghans, Somalis, refugees, asylum seekers, or immigrants writ large is not sound national security policy, and it does nothing to make our communities safer. Xenophobic rhetoric, bigotry, and discriminatory policies have no place in America. Hate must not beget hate, and violence must not beget violence. The organizations stand resolute in opposition to this harmful policy agenda. They call on the administration to restore normal processing, provide clear public guidance, and uphold the United States’ legal and moral obligations to people seeking protection. 

Read the full letter here.

Media Contact: Jen Reeves, jreeves@rcusa.org 

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.

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