State of the Union: Immigration Policy Should Reflect America’s Laws, Values, and Global Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2026

Baltimore, MD — As President Trump prepares to deliver the annual State of the Union address, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, one of the nation’s largest refugee resettlement and immigration services nonprofits, issued the following statement:

“Far from an abstract political debate, immigration policy is ultimately a test of who we are as a nation. It determines whether families remain together, whether employers can fill critical workforce gaps, whether faith communities can live out their values, and whether the United States keeps its word to vulnerable populations who followed every rule to find safety on our shores.”

“Tonight presents an opportunity for the administration to eschew the chaos of the last year and instead articulate a vision for immigration that is orderly, transparent, and grounded in fact. That means ensuring legal pathways function as our laws intended so that families are not left in prolonged limbo, thrust into unjust detention, or deported to the same dangerous conditions they fled. It means ensuring that immigration enforcement does not compromise civil liberties, separate lawful families without cause, jeopardize the lives of American citizens, or divert attention from genuine public safety threats. And it means acknowledging that when policy shifts abruptly, the consequences reverberate far beyond individuals, affecting small businesses, houses of worship, school districts, hospital systems, and the very civic institutions that hold American communities together.”

“At Global Refuge, we hope to hear an immigration vision that reflects the best of our country: one grounded in dignity, lawful process, and the enduring belief that America’s strength has always come from its ability to both secure its borders and open its doors to those who work hard and contribute to the prosperity of this nation.”

“After a year marked by policy whiplash and deliberate turmoil, Americans deserve more than political theater. They deserve a workable, lawful approach that strengthens our economy, safeguards our security, and provides clarity, consistency, and humanity for families navigating our immigration system.”

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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.