Refuge for Families, a transnational initiative to address and develop a humane and unified movement responsive to the plight of migrants along the Central America-US corridor, released the following statement in response to a Trump administration announcement that it would slash the number of refugees admitted into the country to 18,000 per year, down from the current limit of 30,000 and a small part of the numbers accepted during previous administrations.

“The shamefully low refugee resettlement number from the Trump administration is the latest in a deliberate and multi-faceted strategy to block and remove families deemed undesirable by the administration,” said Oscar Chacón of Refuge for Families. “The Muslim Ban, ending TPS, DACA cancelation, and family separation were just the beginning. On the international front, the US has coerced agreements with Mexico and Central American countries to trap asylum seekers in dangerous countries, and a host of other policies to slam the door on those seeking refuge.  The latest announcement is a page out of the same playbook– targeting immigrants and refugees to make them the scapegoat for the country’s deep inequalities.”

“The historically low refugee resettlement numbers will continue to jeopardize the lives of millions of people fleeing dangerous conditions and situations,” said Sulma Arias, a co-founder of Refuge for Families. “The decision comes after more than three years of policies meant to destroy dismantle asylum and refugee programs. Instead of crippling protections and creating barriers to protection, we should be focusing on policies that are anchored in family unity. It’s in these times that we must all come together to create a country that is welcoming for all, where we can all live our lives with dignity. Shame on this administration for turning its back on millions.”