Stand with refugees

URGENT: The government has halted all funding for recently arrived refugee families. Your support is needed 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 Fiercely Opposes Administration Plan to Divert Military Funding to Vanity Border Wall Project

Global Refuge logo

Global Refuge Staff

September 4, 2019

Baltimore, MD – Amid reports that the Trump administration intends to divert $3.6 billion in military construction project funding to build a border wall, Global Refuge unequivocally opposes this latest attempt to militarize the southern border. In a letter to congressional leaders, Defense Secretary Mark Esper specified that a total of 127 military projects in the United States and abroad would be terminated or delayed in order to finance 11 projects on the border.

“This is the most costly vanity project in American history, and comes at the expense of our national interests at home and abroad, no less,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president & CEO of Global Refuge. “We made a sacred vow to the men and women who serve our country to do everything in our power to protect them as they put their lives on the line for this country. It is disgraceful that we would cut vital funding to our military in the name of a man-made ‘national emergency’” continued Vignarajah.

This controversial funding maneuver comes in addition to the $2.5 billion the Pentagon had already diverted from its budget this spring in favor of border barriers, despite objections from leaders on the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations committees. Similarly, Tuesday’s decision has sparked concerns over the legality of such a re-appropriation.

“The power of the purse is firmly vested in Congress, and to bypass constitutional responsibility in pursuit of a downright un-American wall is deeply disturbing,” remarked Vignarajah.

The news of diverted funding for a wall also follows the deployment of 6,600 active duty, National Guard and Texas National Guard troops to the southern border earlier this year.

“The facts are quite clear – we are witnessing the creeping militarization of our border,” noted Vignarajah. “If we put half as many resources into welcoming and integrating newcomers into our communities, our country could simultaneously embrace its legacy as a place of refuge and renew the promise of the American Dream that so many have achieved

Founded in 1939, Global Refuge (LIRS) is one of the largest immigration and refugee resettlement agencies in the United States. Global Refuge is nationally recognized for its leadership working with and advocating for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, immigrants in detention, families fractured by migration and other vulnerable populations. Through 80 years of service and advocacy, Global Refuge has helped over 500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in America.

The Latest

  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    January 27, 2025

    Global Refuge Condemns Federal Stop Work Order Halting Refugee Resettlement Assistance

    Global Refuge expresses deep concern and dismay over an unprecedented stop work order issued by the State Department, which halts all refugee reception and placement services under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

    Read More
  • News

    January 24, 2025

    What do the new immigration executive orders mean for refugees and immigrants?

    Here are key immigration executive orders and proclamations that directly impact immigration and how they will affect refugees and other immigrants.

    Read More
  • Press Release · Immigration and Asylum

    January 24, 2025

    Statement on new immigration restrictions and intensified enforcement operations

    Global Refuge expresses its profound concern following this week’s executive actions that halt asylum protections and aggressively intensify interior immigration enforcement.

    Read More
  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    January 22, 2025

    All Refugee Flights Abruptly Halted Following New Executive Order

    Thousands of refugees who had been cleared for admission to the United States have had their travel cancelled immediately.

    Read More
  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    January 20, 2025

    Global Refuge statement on suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

    The White House today issued an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, effectively halting the resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees seeking safety.

    Read More

Share