Refugee Congress condemns new ruling upholding suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program

WASHINGTON, DC – Refugee Congress is dismayed by and firmly opposes the recent court ruling that upholds the Trump administration’s ban on the processing and admission of refugees to the United States. On March 5, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling that had found the suspension unlawful. The appeals court did, however, affirm that the government must continue funding for domestic resettlement support services.

“This ruling emboldens the administration to continue cruel policies that will further endanger people escaping violence, persecution, and war,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “While the U.S. is turning away from its promise of hope and safety, Refugee Congress remains committed to our mission of advocating for the dignity and well-being of all forcibly displaced people. We will continue to work alongside partners like Church World Service and the International Refugee Assistance Project to advocate for the restoration of USRAP and protection of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Upon taking office, the administration immediately suspended refugee admissions, effectively leaving more than 100,000 people at risk overseas. Many of those individuals and their families have spent years complying with the U.S. refugee admissions process and were approved for admission to the U.S. As a result, many families remain separated, and people remain in danger of the very circumstances that forced them to flee and seek safety in the first place.

In addition to banning nearly all refugees, the administration has also targeted other humanitarian pathways, including termination of Temporary Protected Statuses, ending humanitarian parole programs, and – most recently – enacting policies that detain, re-screen, and threaten deportation of already resettled refugees.

Media Contact: sheridan.block@refugeecongress.org