A grandmother from the Syrian town of Al Hasakah with her grandchildren settle with other Syrian refugees who are fleeing the Turkish incursion in Rojava, arrive at Badarash IDPs camp as more than 800 were welcomed to the facility on October 17, 2019, in Dohuk, Iraq. More than 1,000 refugees have arrived in Northern Iraq since the beginning of the conflict, with many saying they paid to be smuggled through the Syrian border.
| Byron Smith/Getty Images
The decision by the Trump administration to set a new record low for U.S. refugee admissions has sparked concern among various faith groups. The National Association of Evangelicals is vocal in its appeal for a reversal of this decision, emphasizing the threat it poses to persecuted Christians and other vulnerable populations seeking refuge.
Last week, the White House rolled out a decision to limit refugee admissions to just 7,500 for the Fiscal Year 2026. This marks a significant departure from the previous ceiling of 125,000. The new allocation policy places emphasis on White Afrikaners from South Africa as the primary entrants, according to the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions.
Rev. Dr. Walter Kim, President of the NAE, argued, “The U.S. refugee resettlement program is a lifeline for those fleeing persecution — whether because of their faith, their political opinion, ethnicity or other reasons protected under U.S. law.” He highlighted America’s historic role as a sanctuary for those escaping oppression.
The refugee crisis has intensified globally, with figures showing a surge from 60 million displaced persons to over 120 million in the past decade, as noted by the NAE. A survey conducted earlier this year by the association revealed that 65% of American Evangelical leaders believe the church should actively address this escalating crisis.
Despite the administration’s stance, humanitarian organizations like World Relief, headed by Myal Greene, caution that focusing primarily on Afrikaners could leave more vulnerable groups without support. Greene pointed out the oversight of individuals from nations like Nigeria, Iran, and Burma, who face religious persecution, as well as Ukrainians fleeing conflict.
As per Trump’s memorandum, the constrained admissions policy is framed as being in the national interest, with allocations primarily targeting Afrikaners from South Africa.
The administration’s directive raises questions about the future of America’s humanitarian commitments, a sentiment shared by many evangelical leaders who emphasize the nation’s heritage of offering refuge to the persecuted.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
