WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), a member of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees, issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to significantly cut refugee resettlements.
“I am deeply disappointed by the Trump Administration’s decision to cut refugee resettlement efforts to the lowest levels since our refugee resettlement program was established. The United States has a long history of resettling the world’s most vulnerable victims of conflict. Abdicating our leadership at a time when more than 65 million people are displaced worldwide will only serve to weaken our credibility with our allies and partners who are shouldering the burden of this crisis.
“In April, I traveled to the world’s largest refugee settlement in Uganda with Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Uganda is now hosting more than a million refugees who have fled the conflict and famine in South Sudan. This is just one of many conflicts forcing people out of their homes around the world. Our country has considerable resources and needs to do more to address the refugee crisis.
“The United States has in place thorough and detailed protocols to vet refugees seeking asylum. The Administration should focus on real threats to our national security instead of turning away innocent men, women, and children fleeing violence and persecution. I urge the Administration to reconsider this decision and restore refugee admissions to previous levels.”
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