In response to the Trump administration sending more National Guard troops to Washington, DC and halting asylum applications after the tragic shooting of two National Guard soldiers in the city last week, Amy Fischer, Amnesty International USA’s Director for Refugee and Migrant Rights, said the following:

“The shooting of two National Guard soldiers in D.C. was horrific, and we unequivocally condemn this violence.

“As we’ve said before, putting the military on our streets does not make our communities safer. The Trump administration shouldn’t have sent the National Guard to Washington, D.C. in the first place.

“A tragedy like this should never be used as justification to punish, criminalize, and target entire groups. The Trump administration has used this attack as fodder to justify even more racist, exclusionary immigration policies. It is unequivocally wrong to deny Afghans who are fleeing persecution in their home country the protection they need, and halting asylum protections for all asylum applicants or limiting travel from certain counties will have devastating impacts on thousands of people who have been waiting for years for their chance of finally finding safety.

“The Trump Administration’s exploitation of a tragedy to advance anti-immigrant policies and even more militarization in our cities, rather than focusing on human rights or genuine community safety, will only cause more harm and human rights violations down the road.”

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