Leahy, Sanders, Welch condemn refugee ban



Vermont's congressional delegation is condemning actions taken by President Donald Trump on Friday that would stop refugees from coming to the United States.

"We deplore President Trump’s decision to unilaterally halt the refugee resettlement program and specifically target Muslim countries," independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and Democratic Representative Peter Welch said in a joint statement released Friday evening.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday aimed at keeping "radical Islamic terrorists" out of the United States. Rutland Mayor Chris Louras said the action would likely halt the refugee resettlement in his city. Two families have already arrived. Prior to Trump's election, Rutland was approved as a host for 25 refugee families from the Middle East.

The statement released by Leahy, Sanders and Welch pointed to Vermont's track record in resettling refugees. The state has taken in almost 7,500 since 1988, from many different countries.

"If our State of Vermont, and in particular cities like Burlington, Winooski and Rutland want to open their arms to refugees and asylum seekers, President Trump should not stand in their way,” the delegation wrote.

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jess_aloe