HIAS Statement on Government Shutdown

Silver Spring, Md.--Today the U.S. government was unnecessarily partially shut down because of President Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.  

In response, HIAS Senior Vice President for Public Affairs Melanie Nezer said: “This administration has already built a virtual border wall to keep refugees and asylum seekers out of our country. Our government does not need to invest billions of taxpayer dollars in a wall that won’t make us any safer. We need more asylum officers, more judges, and more lawyers representing asylum seekers. We should be investing in building a fair and efficient asylum system that ensures that every asylum claim is heard. HIAS will continue to work for the rights and dignity of refugees and asylum seekers, in the new year and as long as it takes for our country to get this right.”

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