“We need clear leadership to turn the page on Trump and Trumpism. We did not get that today from our President.”
The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice reacting to today’s announcement that the Biden administration will leave the annual cap on refugees at 15,000.
This is bad policy and bad politics. As a policy matter, there is no valid policy reason to maintain the shockingly low refugee cap. As a political matter, President Biden will alienate a lot of his supporters by failing to turn the page on President Trump’s racism, xenophobia and scapegoating of immigrants and refugees.
America at its best welcomes refugees. America at its best is a beacon of hope for the persecuted of the world. America at its best is made up of refugees from every corner of the world.
Our refugee admissions and resettlement program is a crucial tool to establish orderly channels for refugees who have fled systematic persecution and violence. The tried and tested refugee program vets, transports and resettles migrants seeking safety. It is a great American success story.
With Republicans openly espousing white nationalist “replacement theory” and establishing an ‘America First’ congressional caucus based on shared ‘Anglo-Saxon political traditions,’ we need clear leadership to turn the page on Trump and Trumpism. We did not get that today from our President.
