President Trump’s Punitive Attacks on Refugees, Unaccompanied Children, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants are Breathtakingly Cruel and an Affront to our Nation’s Values

Washington, DC – As President Trump ramps up attacks on refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants since signing a host of harmful executive orders on January 20th, Refugee Council USA unapologetically denounces these actions that undermine our national security, tarnish our global reputation, and eliminate crucial protections and safe pathways for those fleeing persecution. RCUSA is appalled by the Trump administration’s latest acts of cruelty, suspending legal representation for 100,000 unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings and forcing children to defend themselves alone in court, ending Afghan relocations for allies who assisted the U.S. mission, and shutting down immigration processing for applicants from Ukraine and Latin America.

“Let me be clear: President Trump is doing everything in his power to tear apart families and destroy vibrant communities that welcome refugees, asylum seekers, stateless people, and immigrants. We believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home; in just one week, the Trump administration repeatedly threatened new Americans and their US-born neighbors as well. We believe in building communities and our capacity to welcome; the Trump administration seeks to punish those who serve and help others. President Trump wants America to shut its doors to people seeking refuge, to deport our neighbors who came here to rebuild their lives in safety, and to exact revenge on everyday families who work hard to put food on the table and protect their children. We will not stand down; we will not give up. We have always been a nation that welcomes your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. We must hold firm to these values,” said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA.

The unprecedented level of cruelty contained in these executive orders has been followed by sweeping, inhumane actions that abruptly ban refugees and suspend foreign assistance, strip asylum protections, expand immigrant detention and deportations, entangle local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities, punish localities for community trust-building policies that support public safety, and threaten temporary protections previously granted by the US government for vulnerable people seeking safety. These actions are not representative of our beliefs as Americans and they subvert our nation’s humanitarian values. To communities of welcome: RCUSA stands with you and applauds your efforts to uphold the spirit of welcome this country was founded on. To our national, state, and local elected leaders: we urge you to do everything in your power to hold the Trump administration accountable, reverse course, and fully restore humanitarian protections.

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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