News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
A YEAR OF ATTACKS AND RESILIENCE
(New York, NY) – Today marks one year since the second inauguration of President Trump, a year defined by the dramatic escalation of abusive attacks on immigrants and the rule of law. Civil society organizations like the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) have been at the forefront of the pushback to protect immigrant communities in the United States, recognizing that attacks on immigrants are attacks on all of us and indeed on democracy itself.
This year, IRAP has challenged in court the unlawful suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), the transfer to and detention of immigrants at Guantánamo Bay, the total abandonment of Afghan allies, and the attempted termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria and Burma. IRAP’s advocacy prevented thousands of TPS holders from being stripped of their ability to live and work legally in the United States, and secured the entry and resettlement of many already-approved refugees left in limbo by the suspension of USRAP.
The following is a statement from Sharif Aly, President of IRAP:
“A year ago today, President Trump signed an Executive Order indefinitely suspending the United States refugee program. While we have been in court ever since fighting to restore this critical lifeline for refugees fleeing violence and persecution, the government has only intensified its brutal assault on immigrants and those who support them.
The Trump administration is now subjecting refugees and immigrants living in the United States and their communities to the same kind of abuses many refugees once fled. Guided by xenophobia and racism, the Trump administration is targeting all immigrants, regardless of their legal status, deep community connections, or criminal record. This is not just an attack on immigrants; it is an attack on American communities and ideals that makes everyone less safe.
In just the last two weeks, we have been horrified to see armed ICE agents arrest and detain refugees with absolutely no claim that they have broken any law. These are dangerous times full of immense challenges, but we will not back down. IRAP will continue to fight every day for the right of every person to live in peace, safety, and dignity. Increasingly, our democracy depends on it.”
Additional Resources
- Read IRAP’s recent statement condemning the arrest and detention of refugees: HERE
- Read IRAP’s updated guidance for refugees living in the United States: HERE
- Learn more about IRAP’s lawsuit challenging the refugee ban: HERE
- Access IRAP’s legal resources for displaced people: HERE
- Access IRAP’s policy explainers and practitioner resources: HERE
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
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