Refugee Congress Among 130 Organizations Demanding Immediate Reversal of Policies Decimating Humanitarian Protections for People of Particular National Origins
December 9, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Refugee Congress, alongside 129 other national, state, and local organizations, sent a letter to the White House demanding the immediate reversal of new policies halting and further restricting refugee, asylum, and additional immigration pathways and humanitarian protections for Afghans, Somalis, and nationals from the other seventeen travel ban countries.
These latest policy changes were announced on the heels of the tragic shooting in our nation’s capital on November 26, yet they do nothing to make communities stronger or safer. These sweeping rollbacks to the rights and protections of tens of thousands of refugee and immigrant Americans are not a proportional response to an isolated act of violence.
Refugee and immigrant Americans have contributed richly to our society, and want to continue doing so, but targeting people based on their immigration status or ethnic background – actual or perceived – destabilizes our communities and makes all of us less safe.
We reject these deliberate attempts to divide us and to enact collective punishment on tens of thousands of neighbors simply because of where they were born. We know all too well that injustice only begets more injustice.
Refugee Congress is more committed than ever to building a nation where everyone is safe and welcome to thrive – to send their kids to school, earn a livelihood, celebrate their faith, and participate in civic life. Our nation is so much stronger when we embrace newcomers and build abundant, innovative communities together.