NEW YORK – Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on refugees today at the United Nations General Assembly, Amnesty International USA called on the U.S. to do more, not less to address the global refugee crisis. Currently, more than half of the world’s 22.5 million refugees are hosted by just 10 countries — all in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, taking refugees in because they are neighbors to crisis.
The New York Times today reported on a study – which the White House sought to block – showing that refugees contribute more to the U.S. economy than they cost. Despite this, Trump is still expected to announce his decision to reduce U.S. refugee admissions before the end of the month. Amnesty International is calling for the U.S. to accept at least 75,000 refugees in 2018.
“President Trump’s callous approach to refugees will cost people their lives,” said Naureen Shah, Amnesty International USA senior director of campaigns. “Refugees are ordinary people who have been forced to run for their lives. By turning its back on some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the U.S. is abandoning its rich tradition of welcoming people seeking safety. Not only that, with reports today that the White House is ignoring refugees’ positive contributions to the U.S. economy, it’s clear that the limits Trump is trying to set on resettlement are about politics and bigotry.”
Tomorrow Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds will join forces to produce Give a Home, a huge global refugee concert series that will consist of 300 shows in 60 countries with top musicians – many of whom will perform alongside refugee musicians. In the U.S., over 100 concerts will take place in one night, with music fans hosting thousands of others in their living rooms, garages and other small, intimate venues to stand in solidarity with refugees in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Nashville and many more. The money raised will support Amnesty International’s work to protect human rights here in the U.S. and around the world.