The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said that a new Trump administration policy limiting refugee admissions to 7,500 people per year — with most slots reportedly being designated for white South Africans — will endanger those truly fleeing war, persecution, and oppression around the world.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“This arbitrary and discriminatory refugee cap prioritizes individuals based on race rather than need, undermining the foundations of America’s refugee system and endangering people fleeing real oppression. Our government should not return to a time when refugees were admitted or excluded based on race or religion.
“Refugee admissions should be determined by who faces the greatest danger, not by political or racial preference. This policy abandons America’s historic commitment to protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations”
CAIR called on the administration to rescind the cap, restore a fair and equitable refugee admissions process, and ensure that U.S. refugee policy reflects compassion, justice, and international human rights standards.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com