Trump to Send 5,000 Troops to Border as Refugees Approach

Washington, D.C.—Following today’s announcement that 5,000 active duty military personnel will be sent to the border as refugees approach, Human Rights First President and CEO Mike Breen issued the following statement:

President Trump’s deployment of troops to the border is a clear misuse of the military. There is no legitimate national security crisis at the border. This political theater hurts U.S. national security interests by setting a horrible example for the small number of countries that host the overwhelming majority of the world’s refugees, and by placing unnecessary stress on our military.

The men, women, and children seeking refuge from violence and persecution at the southern border are not a security threat, they are fleeing for their lives. Yet rather than carefully process their protection requests—as we have successfully done for decades—this administration is responding by sending 5,000 troops and having border patrol agents prepare to meet them at entry points with machine guns.

For more information or to speak with Breen contact Corinne Duffy at [email protected] or 202-370-3319.