<p>RAP’s Statement on the Administration’s Executive Order signed March 6th, 2017 Refugee Assistance Partners (RAP) Scotch Plains & Fanwood, New Jersey</p><p>As leaders of Refugee Assistance Partners, we are alarmed by the recent U.S. president’s executive order to drastically cut the number of refugees who will be welcomed to the United States, and pause all refugee resettlement for 120 days. We believe this order was authored from a foundation of fear and falsehoods, and is not a valid or appropriate action to address the current refugee crisis. Furthermore, it does not accurately address the reality of national security issues. We strongly disagree with the ban since it targets refugees from countries based on religious bias and not on facts regarding actual terrorist threats or historical evidence regarding the country of origin of known terrorists. </p><p>RAP was founded with the goals to welcome and support refugees into our communities. We are gravely concerned that a 120-day pause on the resettlement process will do irreparable damage to the infrastructure that allows refugees to come to the U.S., effectively crippling the future of refugee resettlement in the U.S. In the midst of one of the largest refugee crises since World War II, the notion that the U.S. would reduce the number of refugees it welcomes by more than half is unacceptable, and it threatens to lead other countries to follow suit to grave consequences for so many who have no other option for survival.</p><p>As an interfaith group of people of faith and conscience, a partnership of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others, we know it is not the time to be silent. This is not the time to close our doors and end our welcome. We urge the President to allow the U.S. refugee program to continue resettling refugees, all of whom have been exhaustively vetted by American agencies, and who need our protection regardless of where they come from and how they pray. </p><p>RAP will continue to work with our neighbors and agencies so the United States can remain a land of hope and liberty for those who suffer persecution and who look to us for peace, safety, and freedom.</p>