Trump reportedly considering stopping all refugee admissions

On July 18, Politico reported that Trump administration officials are mulling the option of setting the annual ceiling for refugee admissions to zero. The shift could devastate the refugee resettlement program, which is largely operated by religious groups. Of the nine nonprofit organizations that currently partner with the federal government to resettle refugees, six are faith-based.

Jen Smyers, director of policy and advocacy for Church World Service, criticized that possible move. She and other experts argue that ending refugee resettlement would not only leave thousands of refugees stranded but also demolish a refugee resettlement program—one that includes CWS—designed to help people facing persecution.

“I think we would appeal to the president, the vice president, and really everyone in the administration who professes to be a person of faith to look at the consequences that this would have and to really go back to basics in terms of the commandment to welcome the stranger,” she said.