United Nations agencies have issued a direct appeal to Washington, urging the United States to continue providing asylum seekers with access to its territory and ensuring they receive due process. This call comes in response to comments from former President Donald Trump, who vowed to freeze migration from what he termed "Third World" countries following a security incident near the White House.
UN Response to Escalating Migration Measures
The remarks from the UN human rights and refugee agencies, made during a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, November 28, signal growing international concern. The appeal follows a further escalation of migration measures ordered by Trump after a shooting occurred near the White House on Wednesday. Investigators have stated the attack was carried out by an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021.
When asked to respond to Trump's migration comments, Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, emphasized the legal obligations nations hold. "They are entitled to protection under international law, and that should be given due process," Laurence stated unequivocally to reporters.
A Plea for Due Process and Protection
Eujin Byun, a spokesperson for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), reinforced this position, outlining the fundamental requirements for states receiving individuals seeking safety. "When people who need protection arrive in their territory, they have to have a due process of asylum. And then they have to have access to territory," she explained.
Byun sought to counter potential negative perceptions by highlighting that the vast majority of refugees are law-abiding and contribute positively to their host communities. "So we really want to appeal at this point to the states who are hosting refugees and asylum seekers," she concluded, directing her message to the United States and other nations.
Implications for International Law and US Policy
This public appeal from multiple UN bodies underscores the tension between national security actions and international humanitarian law. The agencies are making a concerted effort to remind the United States of its commitments to established asylum protocols, regardless of domestic political rhetoric. The situation highlights the ongoing global debate surrounding migration, security, and the rights of those fleeing danger.
