Trump’s Day-One Actions Attack Legal Pathways to Refuge; Will Harm Core American Values and Interests
Statement from Refugees International:
“President Trump today announced a wave of extreme executive orders that attempt to reverse America’s proud legacy and tradition of providing refuge to people forced to flee their homes. Make no mistake, these orders are not just about stopping irregular migration – they also target long-standing legal migration pathways in ways that will endanger vulnerable people, undermine border security, and harm the U.S. economy. The orders seek to remake U.S. refugee and immigration policy by closing off virtually all pathways for people to seek refuge in the United States, while threatening the safety and stability of newcomers and long-established immigrant families alike.
These sweeping changes include halting the U.S. refugee resettlement program, shutting down the CBP One app and cancelling all pending asylum appointments in that system, expanding detention of people seeking asylum, calling for a restart of the dangerous Remain in Mexico program, and ending critical humanitarian parole programs. They also reportedly include an order that would treat victims of violent cartel extortion – including many asylum seekers and people helping them – as criminals and supporters of terrorists.
Recent history shows that closing down pathways for migration makes the United States border less orderly and secure. These policies also violate U.S. laws granting people fleeing persecution the right to access asylum. And they will harm the U.S. economy, turning away people who could fill critical labor gaps.
The U.S. refugee resettlement program, which now faces a four-month pause, has enjoyed decades of bipartisan support, helped support U.S. allies abroad, reinforced U.S. moral leadership in the world, and revitalized U.S. communities. There is no justification for halting this essential and lifesaving program.
These policies defy fundamental U.S. values and undermine U.S. foreign and domestic policy interests in ways that are out of step with the American public. Recent polling by Refugees International and the Refugee Advocacy Lab found that a large majority of Americans believe that the United States should offer refuge and legal protection to people seeking safety, while also ensuring an asylum system that is secure, fair, and transparent. Welcoming refugees and other newcomers has always been part of our American creed, strengthening our economy and enriching our communities.
Tragically, these moves come as the nation marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, standing in stark contrast to the values of nondiscrimination and inclusion that Dr. King heralded. As we stand ready for the long road ahead to preserve the country’s legacy as a beacon of hope for people seeking safety and a place of opportunity, we find inspiration in Dr. King’s powerful words: ‘We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’
In the face of these threats, the Refugees International team remains unified and steadfast in our shared commitment to rights and refuge for people forced from their homes.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.
Image caption: An asylum seeker from El Salvador holds her daughter as they wait for their CBP One appointments with U.S. authorities before crossing through El Chaparral port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on January 20, 2025. Photo by Guillermo Arias via Getty Images.