U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker, along with Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, issued a statement today criticizing President Trump’s recent comments about Somali immigrants and refugees in the United States.
The lawmakers stated: “President Trump’s remarks disparaging Somalia, Somali Americans and Somali immigrants in the United States—including a sitting Member of Congress, Representative Ilhan Omar—are xenophobic and unacceptable. Instead of using the power of the presidency to bring our country together, President Trump chose to attack an American immigrant community, the overwhelming majority of whom are law-abiding and have made many positive contributions to the United States. These comments undercut U.S. interests, stoke anti-American sentiment and create openings for terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS to exploit."
They further emphasized: "We must reject language that divides Americans and support those immigrants who contribute to our communities, economy and national security.”
Senator Shaheen is currently the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Booker serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. Representative Meeks is Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, while Representative Jacobs leads as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa.
