MEMO ON REFUGEES SOWS FEAR, DESTABILIZES FAMILIES, BETRAYING OUR COUNTRY’S OBLIGATIONS

Los Angeles, CA – The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), one of the largest immigrant rights organizations in the country, condemns the Trump Administration’s new memorandum targeting refugees who have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent residency. CHIRLA urges DHS to rescind this policy and reaffirm humane, lawful treatment for refugees.

Please attribute the following comments to:

“This cruel and dangerous directive is an outrageous abuse of power that betrays this country’s legal and moral domestic and international obligations to people who have already undergone rigorous vetting and sought refuge through lawful channels. It sows fear, destabilizes families, and sends a chilling message that even those who follow the rules are not safe from arbitrary enforcement.

We reject this attack on due process, human dignity, and the fundamental promise of protection for those fleeing violence and persecution. Our organization stands in unwavering solidarity with refugee communities and will continue to mobilize, advocate, and demand accountability until this unjust policy is rescinded, and the rights of all people seeking safety are fully upheld.”

“Immigrants are told to come the right way, yet they are still punished for doing exactly that. Thousands of refugees are now at imminent risk of arrest, detention, and deportation. The idea that someone can seek safety in this country only to face the threat of reliving trauma all over again is deeply disturbing. Refugees have a legal obligation to adjust their status after one year in the United States and to pursue lawful permanent residency without being subject to the fearmongering and sabotage of this Administration.”

"This memo is unsettling and outright brutal.  The immense pressure being placed on immigrant communities, even those who jumped through every hoop set up by the United States government, is striking.  It feels as if these communities are being forced into an ever-shrinking circle of fire. We must address this issue with urgency and resilience."

"This directive is yet another example that this administration's immigration agenda has never been about doing things the 'right way'. Let us not forget that refugees are heavily vetted and screened before ever setting foot on American soil, and these threats are clearly intended to stow fear and to help meet DHS' detention quotas despite the cost to human dignity. CHIRLA will continue to stand in solidarity with refugees thorough continued advocacy and the services we provide."