FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2026
Baltimore, MD — Global Refuge today responded to the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), calling on him to use this transition in leadership as an opportunity to re-evaluate and reset the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, refugee resettlement, and humanitarian protection.
“After a year of policies that have imperiled lawfully admitted refugees, shuttered legal pathways, and abandoned U.S. commitments to those who stood with America, Secretary Mullin’s confirmation should serve as an opportunity for the administration to course-correct,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “We urge him to begin by rescinding DHS’s February memo, which authorized the arrest and indefinite detention of lawfully admitted refugees, plunging thousands of vulnerable families into fear and instability. These are people who survived years of rigorous U.S. government vetting, who were invited into this country, and who have been rebuilding their lives here. Detaining them is not a security measure, but rather a moral failure unbecoming of a global humanitarian leader.”
Global Refuge also calls on Secretary Mullin to support the full resumption of refugee processing and admissions through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and to restore processing and protections for Afghans and others without delay. The suspension of humanitarian pathways has left tens of thousands of men, women, and children — many of them already cleared through the most extensive security screening process in the world — stranded in precarious conditions. Among them are Afghan allies who risked their lives serving alongside U.S. troops, diplomats, and civilian personnel.
“The continued abandonment of our Afghan allies is both a human tragedy and a strategic liability that could undermine America’s credibility with the partners it will need in the future,” Vignarajah added. “Rebuilding that trust begins with honoring our commitments, restoring lawful pathways, and ensuring that our policies reflect both our national security interests and our core humanitarian values.”
Global Refuge further emphasized that restoring credibility requires rebuilding a functioning, orderly immigration system grounded in the rule of law, dignity, and foundational American values. In recent months, abrupt policy shifts and inconsistent implementation have contributed to overly aggressive tactics during enforcement operations, warrantless arrests, the indefinite detention of recently resettled refugees, including children, and multiple deaths resulting from enforcement encounters — all of which has created widespread confusion for families, service providers, and local communities alike.
“A system that is unpredictable is a system that is ineffective,” Vignarajah said. “If we want an immigration system that is both fair and enforceable, it must first be a functional one guided by clear rules, consistent processes, and respect for due process. We urge Secretary Mullin to prioritize immediate reforms to DHS policies and practice to ensure humane immigration system that strengthens our economy, safeguards our security, and represents a true reflection of the American dream.”
About Global Refuge:
Global Refuge, formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated exclusively to serving refugee children and families. For 85 years, we have welcomed those seeking refuge, upholding a legacy of compassion and grace for people in crisis. We walk alongside individuals, families, and children as they begin their new lives in the United States through our work in refugee resettlement, economic empowerment and employment, and family unification for unaccompanied children. Since our founding in 1939, we have served over 800,000 people from around the globe.
