U.S. Senator Jim Risch - ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Jim Risch - ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voiced her opposition to President Trump's executive order suspending all refugee admissions to the United States indefinitely.
Senator Shaheen expressed her concerns about the implications of this order on refugees fleeing violence and persecution. She emphasized that accepting such individuals is a fundamental American value. "I am alarmed by President Trump’s executive order indefinitely suspending all refugee admissions to the United States," she stated. "Acceptance of refugees who are fleeing violence and persecution, including Afghans, Burmese Rohingya and Sudanese who have been forced from their homes — is a core American value and by issuing this order, our country is turning its back on those in need."
Shaheen highlighted reports that approximately 1,660 Afghan refugees had their flights canceled despite being cleared for resettlement in the U.S., including individuals who assisted with the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. She urged reconsideration of this decision, stressing her long-standing advocacy for Afghan allies: "Particularly concerning are the reports that approximately 1,660 Afghan refugees—including people who risked their lives to assist with the U.S. mission in Afghanistan—and who were already cleared to resettle in the United States have had their flights cancelled."
The senator pointed out that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has historically enjoyed bipartisan support and serves as a crucial tool for aiding vulnerable populations while enhancing global stability. She noted its economic contributions: "Resettled refugees contribute greatly to local economies and in recent years, have added nearly $124 billion to federal and local communities."
In her tenure at the Senate, Shaheen has championed refugee causes and played an instrumental role in reforming programs like the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program alongside late Senator John McCain. Her efforts include supporting legislation aimed at providing permanent residency opportunities for Afghans with temporary status in America.
Recently, Shaheen visited St. Raphael’s Parish Community Center to learn about initiatives supporting refugee families in Manchester, New Hampshire.