UN refugee agency says US border enforcement must not jeopardize people fleeing danger
Agency tells Anadolu that it recognizes sovereign right of all countries, including US, to manage their borders while upholding their commitments to refugee protection
US military personnel conduct surveillance in border area
GENEVA
The UN refugee agency on Wednesday warned that US immigration enforcement must not put asylum seekers at risk, as concerns mount over the impact of renewed border crackdowns.
Responding to Anadolu's questions about recent US immigration enforcement actions and the potential global implications of President Donald Trump's assertive policies, the UN agency emphasized the importance of safeguarding international protection standards.
"UNHCR recognizes the sovereign right of all countries, including the United States, to manage their borders while upholding their commitments to refugee protection," the agency said.
"It is essential that individuals in need of international protection have access to fair and efficient asylum procedures," the UNHCR added. "Any enforcement actions should be carried out in a humane and dignified manner, with respect for the rights and safety of all individuals and must not result in the return of people in need of international protection to situations where their lives may be at risk."
The statement comes amid growing scrutiny of US border policies and fears that restrictive measures could erode global norms around refugee protection.
On Monday, a new ban announced by Trump took effect, prohibiting travel to the US from a dozen countries and restricting travel from seven others, citing inadequate screening and vetting processes, which were said to hinder "America’s ability to identify potential security threats before entry."
The president's order specifically prohibits people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and 365bet籭 from entering the US. An additional seven countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – face partial restrictions and limited entry of their nationals.
Meanwhile, protests erupted Friday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided local businesses in Los Angeles and detained hundreds of people suspected of living in the US illegally. The Trump administration has continued to carry out the raids in defiance of community opposition.
Trump has deployed some 4,000 US National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to the streets of Los Angeles in defiance of warnings from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Bass that the action would only serve to further inflame already-heightened tensions.
The protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown intensified in Los Angeles and spread to more than a dozen US cities, including Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
