Today, the United States Court of Appeals in the Fourth Circuit has decided to uphold the block on President Trump’s discriminatory executive order on refugees and immigration. Represented by pro bono counsel Latham & Watkins, Oxfam was proud to file an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs challenging President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on refugees and immigration. The ban, if implemented, potentially puts the lives of tens of thousands of people at risk worldwide and poses a direct threat to Oxfam’s humanitarian mission. In response Oxfam America President Raymond C. Offenheiser said,
“Oxfam celebrates the US Fourth Circuit court’s ruling today to continue blocking the Trump Administration’s dangerous and discriminatory Executive Order on refugees and immigration. Today’s decision is a victory for tolerance and freedom.
“This ban has left thousands of refugees in legal limbo, watching as the opportunity to be resettled in the United States slips through their fingers. Many people have been forced to give up their hopes that they might ever be able to find safety in the United States.
“This has been a hard-fought decision that does not end today. As this case and another in the 9th circuit make their way through the courts, Oxfam remains steadfast in our commitment to welcome and protect refugees and immigrants to the United States and will fight to uphold this proud legacy. Despite continued rejection of this executive order, the administration has already slowed down the resettlement program dramatically. As Americans, we must continue to open our hearts and doors to innocent people in search of refuge so that our country can live up to the noble values upon which this country was founded.
"Oxfam works with people whose lives have been torn apart during crises like those in the countries targeted by the ban, providing life-saving humanitarian aid and longer term support to rebuild their lives. Every day we meet refugees and other people on the move who demonstrate amazing strength and hope in the midst of unthinkable uncertainty and suffering. We believe the United States has both a moral and legal duty to welcome these people during their greatest time of need."
/ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Oxfam had previously joined with the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s first executive order on refugees and immigrants. Oxfam has also filed an amicus brief in the litigation challenging the revised executive order currently pending in the 9th Circuit, also represented by Latham & Watkins.
Oxfam has worked in more than 90 countries to end poverty and injustice over the past 70 years. Oxfam employs staff in four of the six banned countries, and also provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to refugee camps around the world.
The Executive Order suspends all refugee admissions for 120 days and blocks citizens of six Muslim-majority countries, refugees or otherwise, from entering the United States for 90 days: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
