World Refugee Day is a global celebration of the strength, resilience, and hope of people who have experienced forced displacement. We honor them and stand alongside our communities and partners in recognizing the human value of each person seeking safety.

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.

“Taking away legal status from hundreds of thousands of people is more than just a policy change; it’s a humanitarian crisis that affects real lives and the hope that brought people here… Behind every revoked status is a story, a family, and a dream. No one should be sent back to danger.”

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.

Refugee Congress condemns the Trump administration’s actions this month terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Venezuelans. These efforts to target communities that have arrived through legal pathways put hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in dangerous and uncertain circumstances.

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.”

Refugee Congress reiterates its firm commitment to refugees, asylum seekers, and all forcibly displaced people and communities in the United States and around the world. We remain dedicated to protecting the rights of displaced people, defending the safety and well-being of those seeking safety, and creating welcoming and inclusive spaces at local, state, national and international levels.

On September 30th, President Biden signed the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2025, setting a goal of admitting up to 125,000 refugees to the United States over the next year.

On the third anniversary of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Refugee Congress reflects on the profound and ongoing impact on thousands of Afghan allies and their families. We acknowledge the challenges many still face—both those who remain in danger in Afghanistan and those who have resettled in the United States. We remain committed to advocating for their safety and sustainable pathways to citizenship.

Refugee Congress is tremendously disappointed and strongly condemns the Biden Administration’s decision to play into political motivations and fear-based rhetoric, rather than focusing on humane, equitable, and effective solutions for our border. This order directly contradicts the President’s campaign promises to restore protections for those seeking safety in the US, and instead embraces the very anti-immigration policies the administration vowed to defeat.