Statement from Acting Secretary McAleenan on the Refugee Proposal

The United States has always been and will always remain the most generous nation in the world when it comes to welcoming those in need of humanitarian protection, including refugees, asylees, and victims of trafficking. The Administration’s proposal for refugee admissions in Fiscal Year 2020 will allow the Department of Homeland Security to focus on addressing the ongoing crisis at the southern border, reducing a staggering asylum backlog that unfairly delays relief for those with meritorious claims, and completing more overall cases in an increasingly multifaceted humanitarian workload. The refugee proposal also supports U.S. foreign policy interests, and the Department’s engagement with regional and international partners, by offering nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras the opportunity to seek refugee status close to home rather than embark on a dangerous and often futile journey to the United States in the hands of smugglers and criminal organizations. I look forward to consulting with Congress regarding this proposal, as well as DHS’ ongoing efforts to address the border crisis, uphold the rule of law, and restore integrity to the immigration system.