U.S. Should Welcome Refugees says JRS/USA in Response to SCOTUS Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 26, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) announced that it will decide the fate of President Trump’s revised travel ban, agreeing to hear arguments over immigration cases that were filed in federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland and allowing parts of the ban to take effect. The justices removed the two lower courts’ injunctions against the ban “with respect to foreign nationals who lack any bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States,” narrowing the scope of those injunctions that had put the ban into question.

Jesuit Refugee Service USA responded to SCOTUS announcement with the following statement on June 30th:

The Supreme Court’s recent action allows the Trump Administration to move forward with certain provisions of its executive order banning refugees and certain other immigrants from entry into the United States – the so called “travel ban.” This decision is temporary until the fall when the Court will rule on the constitutionality of the ban. 

Although the Court’s decision would allow for many refugees to continue to enter the United States over the next several months, due to their ties to family members in the United States or US entities, the Adminstration has chosen to restrict entry to individuals with very close family members, barring others, for example grandparents and grandchildren from reuniting. It further refuses to recognize the relationships that US agency vetted and approved refugees have with the government or with the resettlement agencies contracted to receive them. As a result, many refugees, including the elderly, unaccompanied children, and those in need of medical treatment will be delayed in receiving US protection for at least several additional months. 

JRS/USA continues to oppose this ban and any religious test for entry into the United States. The rescue of vulnerable people looking to the US for safety in accordance with our most hallowed traditions should not be delayed even one day more than necessary. JRS/USA also urges the Administration to interpret the court order with compassion and generosity in the time between now and the final Court determination. Refugees know the cost of terror and persecution. They are the victims. The U.S. should welcome rather than fear refugees, including those from the countries named in the travel ban. Solidarity, not separation, is in our best instincts and interests.