The UN human rights office has urged the United States to keep its doors open to asylum seekers. The call is a response to President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about closing immigration from what he called “third world countries.”
In a statement on Friday, the UN called on Washington to ensure that people seeking protection are able to access US territory and receive due process.
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said refugees are entitled to protection under international law and must be given proper legal procedures.
Eujin Byun, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency, stressed that people in need of protection must be allowed to enter the country and have their asylum claims fairly assessed. She added that the vast majority of refugees are law-abiding members of their host communities.
Byun said the UN is urging refugee-hosting countries to reconsider restrictive decisions at a time when global displacement is at record levels.
