Hoyer Statement on Trump Administration Policy of Rejecting Asylum Claims for Those Fleeing Gang Warfare or Domestic Violence

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the Trump Administration's new policy of immediately rejecting asylum claims for those fleeing gang warfare or domestic violence:

"The Trump Administration's new policy of rejecting asylum claims out of hand for those fleeing gang warfare or domestic violence violates international law and runs counter to our values as a nation. It is just the latest in a series of steps by this Administration to undercut our asylum laws and turn away those seeking to escape danger, along with its policy of forcibly separating children from their parents. These are traumatized and endangered families who are coming to our nation and asking for help, according to the laws on our books and to longstanding international conventions.

"If the Administration turns away those in desperate need of safety, who are then harmed or killed upon being returned to their home countries, the President -- and House Republicans, who are complicit with their conspicuous silence on this issue -- will have blood on their hands. It is outrageous that Congressional Republicans have still refused to do anything to address this crisis."

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