Washington, DC – The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) opposes the string of immigration and border-related executive orders issued by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office and other promised actions. FCNL remains resolute in its conviction to unite communities and legislators to champion fair migration policies.
Contact Tim McHugh: media@fcnl.org, 202-903-2515
“The immigration system desperately needs informed, modern solutions that establish safe, effective management of the border, sensible pathways, and prosperity. None of yesterday’s executive actions, nor the promised future orders, ensure that security,” said Anika Forrest, FCNL’s domestic policy legislative director. “Policymakers cannot continue to view migration in a vacuum, ignoring raging displacement across the globe caused by militarism and conflicts, economic upheavals, and environmental disasters.”
On his first day, Pres. Trump immediately suspended the refugee admissions program and shut down access to asylum. He declared a national emergency and invasion at the southern border to permit additional authorities and resources to close the border and start deporting undocumented immigrants. This opens the path to weaponize active military servicemembers. President Trump also ordered the restoration of the Remain in Mexico program. This policy, started in his first term, requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their cases to be processed. Remain in Mexico has led to the exploitation, sexual harassment, and even death of migrants.
“Militarism is never the answer to humanitarian concerns. Deploying troops to the border to deter asylum seekers and migrants is not only misguided, but potentially lethal,” said Forrest. “We need answers that simultaneously care for communities and at-risk individuals.”
Instead, President Trump rescinded a series of President Joe Biden’s humane and practical migration executive orders. The first round of Trump’s actions indicated his intention to penalize states, localities, and faith groups welcoming newcomers and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations—a policy that could implicate migrants coerced to work with or pay cartel smugglers during their journey to the U.S.—and invoke the shameful wartime authorization that sanctioned internment camps during World War II. The administration also signaled the end of a practice that allowed new arrivals to live within the United States while they await their immigration court hearings. This eliminates a merciful and highly compliant approach that saved taxpayers millions from detention expenses.
FCNL’s pursuit of migration justice is grounded by generations of Quakers who suffered the atrocities of persecution and forced migration. Those testimonies and the experiences of communities migrating today power FCNL’s advocacy for all children of God to be seen and treated as such, regardless of their origin.
“These policies will gravely impact both communities and hopeful newcomers—from blocking critical federal funding to places of worship and localities, disrupting the food supply chain and construction industries, to preventing local employers from addressing labor shortages, decimating communities, separating families, and more,” said Forrest. “Establishing a better life should not rest on perceived deservedness. We all have value in the eyes of God. How we welcome our neighbors is proof of our national character.”
In addition, the administration is seeking to end birthright citizenship – which will face robust constitutional challenges related to the 14th Amendment – and is expected to reinstate the Muslim and African ban.
FCNL will continue to monitor migration policy developments closely and remain committed to building a world that centers compassion over cruelty and suffering.
To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.
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