Statement on the 9th Circuit Appeals Court Ruling

Refugees International welcomes the decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refusing to reinstate President Donald Trump’s Executive Order barring refugees and immigrants – predominantly from seven Muslim majority nations – from entering the United States. The decision upholds the American principle of extending support to refugees and immigrants seeking safety and a better life.  Support of refugees and the preservation of U.S. security are not contradictory values – they are American values and can be concurrently pursued.  The Trump administration’s hasty and ill-conceived Executive Order only produced chaos and confusion, while negating an effective and secure resettlement program that was already in place.

While the Trump administration will most likely appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, we again call on the President to reconsider this Executive Order and protect people who are fleeing violence and persecution in their war-torn homelands.  American borders can remain open and Americans can still remain secure.