RCUSA Outraged by Trump Administration’s Wrongful, Sweeping Terminations of Humanitarian Protection

Washington, DC – In recent years, the United States has provided life-saving temporary humanitarian protection for many vulnerable newcomers – including those fleeing war and persecution. These protections allow those affected to remain in the country, authorized to work, so they can support their families while addressing enormous labor demand. But since taking office, the Trump administration has abruptly terminated humanitarian protections for one population after another, throwing into turmoil the lives of hundreds of thousands of people that the U.S. government had previously pledged to protect. These cruel and legally dubious actions, coupled with messaging and enforcement tactics designed to spread fear and uncertainty throughout communities across the country, further demonstrate the administration’s reckless disregard for the serious harms it inflicts. 

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. This is especially true for those our nation pledged to welcome and protect,” said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA. “The Trump administration continues to undermine due process of law and weaken our democratic principles by ignoring congressional mandates, judicial orders, and basic human decency. Revoking humanitarian protections has dire consequences for newcomers who have built lives, filled essential jobs, started businesses, and contributed to our communities. The devastating harm inflicted by this administration cannot be overstated; no one should be forced to leave when returning to their home country means facing danger, repression, or persecution,” 

“Elected officials should represent the best of who we are as a nation. That includes embracing refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and newcomers – and the communities that welcome them. RCUSA urges our national, state, and local leaders to take a stand; do everything in your power to safeguard access to refugee, asylum, and humanitarian protection in the United States.”

The administration’s decisions include ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan and Cameroon (following TPS terminations for countries like Venezuela, and Haiti), revoking humanitarian parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) and for individuals who entered U.S. ports of entry through CBPOne – while simultaneously revoking U.S. visas for South Sudanese and students at American colleges and universities, pressuring newcomers to self-deport, and significantly expanding enforcement activity like detentions, deportations, militarizing the border, and surveillance of our immigrant neighbors en masse. Many of these efforts are subject to ongoing litigation. 

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.

###