As Trump Administration Resettles Afrikaners, Refugee Council USA Calls for Restoration of U.S. Leadership as a Beacon of Freedom for all Eligible Refugees

As the first group of Afrikaners who received refugee status arrived in the United States on Monday, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) urges our national leaders to restore our nation’s commitment to resettle other vulnerable populations — regardless of where they come from, the color of their skin, or what faith they practice. RCUSA is deeply troubled that the Trump administration persists in its delayed compliance with multiple court orders to resume the life-saving refugee resettlement program and process the thousands of refugees who had been rigorously vetted and scheduled for travel to the U.S. as of January 20. 

“The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has long been an exemplar of American humanitarian values of empathy, generosity, and respect for human dignity. But as soon as President Trump took office, he indefinitely suspended the U.S. resettlement program, causing devastating harm to tens of thousands of the most vulnerable refugees who had been forced to flee their homes. By resettling Afrikaners, the administration is demonstrating it has the ability and capacity to swiftly and securely screen, process, and welcome refugees to the United States. It’s time for the Trump administration to honor our nation’s commitment to the thousands of vulnerable refugees that the United States has abandoned,” said John Slocum, Executive Director of RCUSA. 

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and refugee resettlement is part of the fabric of our national identity. RCUSA urges Congress and the administration to invest in a robust U.S. resettlement program that resettles the most vulnerable refugees, regardless of their background. Resettling refugees contributes to our country’s economic, cultural, and spiritual growth. The U.S. resettlement program is rooted in public-private partnerships and draws on local community support. The bipartisan Refugee Act of 1980 established a nondiscriminatory framework to ensure that the program responded to global needs. Now is the time to restore this legacy. America has the capacity—and the responsibility—to lead with compassion, consistency, and integrity.”

Media contact: Mariam Sayeed, msayeed@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. This statement does not necessarily reflect the views of each individual RCUSA member organization.

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