Refugee Congress strongly condemns the Trump administration’s sweeping new travel ban targeting individuals from 19 countries, many of which are Muslim-majority or home to vulnerable populations in crisis. This unjust and discriminatory policy is a dangerous step backward for our country and a direct assault on the values of fairness, inclusion, and protection for those fleeing persecution, violence, and war.

“USRAP opens doors that would have otherwise remained closed, and I’ve dedicated my life to making sure that those doors stay open for others as well,” said Aisha Koroma, Refugee Congress Delegate for Washington, D.C., Assistant Director of Social Integration at HIAS, and a resettled refugee from Sierra Leone. “But I’m just one story. There’s so many Aisha’s out there, including those still in transit, children and families waiting for safety, for stability, and for a chance to rebuild. USRAP is more than a program. It represents lives, dreams, resilience, hope. It is a gateway for future changemakers, doctors, engineers, artists, trades people. People who are ready and eager to become assets to America’s workforce and to contribute meaningfully to its economy and communities.”

Women’s History Month is not only a time for reflection but also a call to recognize the resilience and impact of women who have shaped our lives and communities, both locally and globally. This month, we honor the refugee women who, despite unimaginable hardships, continue to inspire change, uplift their communities, and advocate for a more just and compassionate world. Their contributions remind us that the struggle for a better world is ongoing – and that we must continuously support policies that protect and empower displaced people.

While we celebrate and honor the 45th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, we recognize that recent executive orders and actions taken by the Trump administration have threatened our national legacy, endangering the lives of so many people seeking safety and even those who have already found refuge in the U.S. These targeted efforts aim to dismantle the system that protects our neighbors, and directly oppose our collective values of welcome and safety. Still, Americans have made it clear: refugees are welcome.

As leaders who have experienced forced displacement and some who have been separated from families, Refugee Congress denounces not only the indefinite ban on refugee admissions, but also the betrayal of trust and hope for those who were initially approved for arrival and resettlement before the executive order’s effective date. Not only does this action betray American values of welcome, but it also undermines the integrity of American leadership as a nation committed to protecting our most vulnerable neighbors.

“Today, we watch a transition of leadership that was borne out of a democratic process but is also a reminder of the fragility of democracy, when not upheld and protected. We must honor this day, and honor Dr. King by standing by our neighbors, welcoming those who seek refuge, and protecting the rights of our most vulnerable community members.”