New name, same mission! LIRS is now Global Refuge. Learn more.

Stand with refugees.

This Giving Tuesday, double your impact for refugee and immigrant families with a 2X matched donation up to $50,000.

GIVE NOW

The browser you are using is not supported. Please consider using a modern browser.

Skip Navigation
Donate
Start of main content.

Press Release // Immigration and Asylum

Global Refuge Condemns Administrations Proposal to Let States and Cities Veto Refugee Admissions

Global Refuge logo

Global Refuge Staff

August 23, 2019

Baltimore, MD – Following reports that the Trump Administration is considering a policy that would allow states and cities to reject refugees who have already been approved for resettlement, Global Refuge warns that doing so would undermine the U.S. Constitution and significantly harm communities across the nation that benefit economically and culturally from welcoming refugees.

“Immigration is firmly established as a federal issue, both in the Constitution and from centuries of judicial precedent. Ceding this responsibility to states and localities is an abdication of executive responsibility that dates back to our nation’s founding,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president & CEO of Global Refuge. “It’s unlawful, unconstitutional, and fundamentally un-American.”

“Communities of all kinds have historically embraced refugee resettlement – not simply because it is the right thing to do, but also because of the vast economic benefits that refugees bring,” continued Vignarajah, referring to research indicating that refugees contribute $63 billion more in state, local and federal taxes than they receive in benefits.

“Resettled refugees are doctors, entrepreneurs, small business owners—they fill a variety of needed jobs in a wide range of industries,” Vignarajah said. “They enrich the communities where they settle in so many ways.”

“Refugees are intensively screened by security agencies in an exhaustive process that involves DHS, FBI, DoD, DoS, HHS, and the wider U.S. intelligence community,” noted Vignarajah. “In fact, national security experts consistently warn that restricting refugee admissions is a grave risk to national security.”

The federal government must not abandon its responsibility to lead refugee resettlement in the best interest of the nation. Global Refuge strongly opposes any such proposal to weaken our resettlement program.

The Latest

  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    November 6, 2024

    Global Refuge Reaffirms Commitment to Refugees and Immigrants as Nation Prepares for New Administration

    In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, Global Refuge remains steadfast in its mission to serve vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities across the United States.

    Read More

  • News

    October 31, 2024

    What’s America’s superpower? Immigration, says Global Refuge’s Krish O’Mara Vignarajah

    Global Refuge President & CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah recently took the stage at TEDxApex Women in Apex, North Carolina to make the case that the United States owes its preeminence on the global stage to one key asset: immigration.  

    Read More

  • Advocacy · Immigration and Asylum

    October 23, 2024

    What is the CHNV Parole Program?

    The Biden administration opened a new program allowing certain nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to apply for entry to  the U.S. for a temporary stay of up to two years.

    Read More

  • Advocacy

    October 17, 2024

    Six Migration and Climate Displacement Takeaways from Climate Week NYC

    The Global Refuge Advocacy team attended the 2024 Climate Week NYC—a massive gathering of practitioners from public policy, philanthropy, the private sector, science, and other disciplines focused on the climate crisis.

    Read More

  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    September 30, 2024

    U.S. Resettles Most Refugees in Three Decades, Maintains FY 2025 Refugee Cap at 125,000

    The White House announced today that President Biden has officially signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Presidential Determination on refugee admissions, maintaining the annual cap at 125,000 refugees.

    Read More

Related Posts

Press Release · Community Engagement

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service rebrands as Global Refuge

January 17th

More

Press Release · Immigration and Asylum

Gov. Abbott to Sign Harmful New Texas Immigration Laws

December 18th

More

Press Release · Immigration and Asylum

Global Refuge Decries Drastic Immigration Proposals in Supplemental Funding Negotiations

December 14th

More

Share