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Larsen on Trump Executive Order: Scapegoating Refugees Fleeing War, Terrorism and Persecution is ‘as low as it gets’
Washington, DC,
January 28, 2017
Congressman condemns President’s actions as contrary to American values
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s executive order which bars citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days, indefinitely bans refugees from Syria and suspends admission of all other refugees for 120 days. “This executive order scapegoats refugees fleeing war, terrorism and persecution – that is as low as it gets,” said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free’ – those are more than just words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. The United States of America has always been a haven for everyone – regardless of religion or nationality – who seeks a better life. President Trump’s poorly thought out actions fly in the face of those foundational American values, and leave countless green card holders, international students and others with questions for which the administration has not provided answers.” Larsen has cosponsored the No Religious Registry Act, a bill that would prohibit the U.S. government from collecting information or utilizing a registry to classify individuals on the basis of religious affiliation. ### |