Refugee Congress Condemns New Rule Limiting Asylum Protections

For Immediate Release: Dec. 14, 2020

WASHINGTON—Refugee Congress condemns a new asylum rule published by the Trump administration that would significantly restrict asylum eligibility and further eliminate opportunities for people seeking asylum to be granted protection from persecution.

The rule would limit what qualifies as persecution. It would exclude gender and gang violence as eligible claims and would require an asylum-seeker to prove a higher level of risk of harm if they return to their country of origin.

“We are outraged by this rule and the limits it places on protections for people seeking asylum,” said Nili Yossinger, Refugee Congress National Director. “This rule will make it harder for people fleeing violence and persecution to find safety and protection. The United States must remain a beacon of hope and place of refuge.”

Over the past four years, the Trump administration has taken steps that have resulted in significant reductions to the protections provided by the refugee resettlement and asylum programs. Refugee Congress condemns these acts and calls for the restoration of this country as a place of refuge and protection for those fleeing violence.

“These new asylum restrictions would further erode due process for individuals and families seeking protection,” said Dauda Sesay, Vice-Chair of the Refugee Congress Board of Directors and Delegate for Louisiana. “For the past three years, this administration has instilled hardline immigration policies, including the Muslim ban, ending DACA, separating kids, slashing the refugee resettlement program to the lowest level ever and making it very hard for people seeking safety. This is cruel and doesn’t represent the American values. As someone who has experienced the terror of war and persecution, it is painful to see my new home country is denying safety to people seeking protection.”

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.  www.refugeecongress.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kacy Kostiuk, Communications Manager, (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org