The Refugee Center Stands With Immigrants And Refugees

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order suspending the United States Refugee Admissions Program starting January 27, 2025. This will leave thousands of refugees stranded, including family members of our clients in Champaign-Urbana that have waited years to be reunited. 

We urge the Trump Administration to reconsider their decision and resume refugee resettlement in the United States. Refugees undergo rigorous vetting, including multiple background checks by national security agencies, before ever setting foot on American soil. Their integration is coordinated through close collaboration between federal agencies, local stakeholders, and nonprofit organizations positioning them to quickly become vital contributors to their new communities. 

Yesterday, January 22nd, U.S. border agents were instructed to immediately deport immigrants entering without permission, without allowing them to request legal protection. As a signatory to the United Nations 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol and through U.S. immigration law, the United States has legal obligations to provide protection to those who qualify as refugees. The Refugee Act of 1980 established two paths to obtain refugee status—either from abroad as a resettled refugee or in the United States as an asylum seeker. We denounce this attempt by President Trump and his administration to circumvent established immigration laws by creating a false narrative labeling all immigrants as criminals. 

The Refugee Center stands with all immigrants fleeing violence and persecution. We urge our local, State and Federal officials to stand up for immigrants and advocate for their communities that have been enriched by their contributions.