Today, the United States Court of Appeals in the Ninth 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 Abby Maxman said,
“Oxfam celebrates the US Ninth Circuit court’s ruling today to continue blocking the Trump administration’s dangerous and discriminatory executive order on refugees and immigration. Today’s decision, combined with the decision last month from the 4th Circuit, is a resounding victory for tolerance and freedom. The courts have once again struck down the Trump administration’s attempts to slam the door on refugees and discriminate against Muslims by executive order.
“This ban has already 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.
“Oxfam remains steadfast in our commitment to welcome and protect refugees and immigrants to the United States. We call on the Supreme Court, should it decide to weigh in on this issue, to reaffirm the decision of both the 4th and 9th Circuits that this illegal and immoral ban should not take effect. A cornerstone of the founding values of the US was to offer oppressed people refuge from violence and persecution, and we will continue to fight to uphold that legacy. As Americans we must open our minds, hearts, and borders to vulnerable refugees fleeing violence and persecution.
“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 in the 4th 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.
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. With 70 years of experience in more than 90 countries, Oxfam takes on the big issues that keep people poor: inequality, discrimination, and unequal access to resources including food, water, and land. We help people save lives in disasters, build stronger futures for themselves, and hold the powerful accountable. Join us. www.oxfamamerica.org
