Refugees International Statements on FY2021 Refugee PD and Facebook Decision to Remove Trump Campaign Anti-Immigrant Ads

Please see below statements from Eric Schwartz, president of Refugees International and former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration.

On the president’s FY2021 intention to authorize the lowest refugee admissions ceiling (15,000) since the start of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program:

“The president’s action is disappointing but not surprising. It is part of an overall strategy of fear-mongering and vilification of refugees. It is also ironic, as hundreds of thousands of already resettled immigrants and refugees are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, providing their fellow Americans with health and other essential services.”

On Facebook’s decision to remove advertisements from the Trump campaign due to misleading and inaccurate claims about Covid-19 and immigration:

“The advertisements were condemnable, and I applaud Facebook’s action, and all efforts to bring honesty and civility to our nation’s political dialogue.” 

For more information or to arrange an interview with Mr. Schwartz, please contact Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org.