Charities and stars have spoken out against the immigration bans imposed by the United States government over the weekend.
A statement from the UNHCR reads:
“UNHCR and IOM remain committed to working with the U.S. Administration towards the goal we share to ensure safe and secure resettlement and immigration programmes.
“We strongly believe that refugees should receive equal treatment for protection and assistance, and opportunities for resettlement, regardless of their religion, nationality or race.”
“We will continue to engage actively and constructively with the U.S. Government, as we have done for decades, to protect those who need it most, and to offer our support on asylum and migration matters.”
Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children USA, released the following statement:
“The United States has long been a beacon of hope for the millions of children and families trying to escape war and persecution. The world is facing its largest crisis of displaced people since World War II, with more than 65 million people forced to flee their homes. More than half of all refugees are children, whose only chance for survival and a better future relies on access to safety. We all have a moral obligation to help. Refugee children have been terrorized; they are not terrorists.
“The reality is that the U.S. refugee resettlement program saves lives — namely of women and children under 12, who make up 67 percent of the Syrian refugees in the U.S. — while helping to ensure the safety of our country. Refugees already go through extensive vetting: a refugee’s identity is checked against law enforcement and intelligence databases of at least five federal agencies, a process that takes nearly two years. If there is any doubt about who a refugee is, he or she is not admitted to the United States. Save the Children takes no issue with proposals to further perfect the vetting process to protect our nation’s safety, but we must remember that resettling refugees reinforces our security by supporting key allies that are disproportionately affected by forced displacement.
“The United States should continue to show leadership and share in our global responsibility to provide refuge to the most vulnerable, regardless of religion or nationality. Welcoming refugees sends a strong message to groups that want to do us harm: the United States remains a leading pillar for stability and liberty in the world.”
Stars have also declared their opposition to the US president’s executive orders.
Rihanna tweeted her disgust, saying “America is being ruined right before our eyes”, while Miley Cyrus also spoke out via Twitter.
Sia and Rosie O'Donnell offered to match donations to the American Civil Liberties Union, and Kim Kardashian tweeted a set of revealing statistics that show more Americans are killed annually by their fellow citizens than by Muslims.
Other stars to speak out include Mark Ruffalo, Chrissy Teigen, Judd Apatow, Alyssa Milano, Seth Rogen, Michael Moore, Kerry Washington, Emmy Rossum, Debra Messing, Lily Allen, Sophia Bush, George Takei, Rob Reiner… the list grows stronger by the minute.
It is not just celebrities speaking out around the world, with many world leaders and businesses condemning the ban, as well as everyday citizens who believe in making the world a better place.
