Value Our Families Statement in Response to Trump Administration’s Announcement on Refugees

Contact

Value Our Families (VOF) Media media@fwdshift.com

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As tens of thousands of refugees who have been through years of vetting and screening remain stranded in the pipeline, the Trump administration has announced plans to decimate the life-saving and bipartisan refugee admissions program without consulting Congress, as required by law. The number of refugees admitted to the country will be capped at 7,500—the lowest since the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was established in 1980. Moreover, the administration will prioritize resettling white South Africans, at the exclusion of many other at-risk refugees. 

“Our immigration system should reflect our values of family unity and honor people who move in search of safety or a better life,” said Monica Sarmiento, Director of Value Our Families and Executive Director of Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights (VACIR). “But this record-low refugee admissions target will keep thousands of families apart.” 

“Under the Trump administration’s plans, refugee resettlement will no longer be a force for family reunification and protecting all those in danger. Rather, it will be little more than a vehicle to privilege groups handpicked by Trump himself.”

“This announcement will hurt refugee families who were counting on this pathway to reach safety in the United States. Over 100,000 carefully vetted, at-risk refugees–including follow-to-join refugees looking to reunite with their families–continue to be stranded in the dangerous circumstances they were trying to flee.”

“Whether it’s the 2025 travel ban, brutal immigration raids intentionally ripping children away from their parents, or a blatant disregard for immigrant families, refugees, and asylum seekers, this Administration’s dangerous policies are merely hurting families and the U.S. as a whole. We urge this administration to reverse course and uphold the value of family unity.”

# # #