President Trump is today poised to issue an Executive Order banning refugee arrivals, according to media reports.

Responding to the news, Refugee Council Advocacy Manager Anna Musgrave said: “President Trump’s plans to pull up the drawbridge and leave refugees trapped in danger are extremely alarming. 

“We can’t let our humanity be undermined by fear. We all know that refugees who arrive in the US through resettlement schemes are among the most rigorously vetted people in the country.

“What’s even more disturbing is the fact that the US currently resettles more refugees than any other country in the world and has led the way in coordinating a global effort to ensure more refugees are able to find safety.

“We’re concerned about the potential knock on effect this could have; what example does it set to poorer countries who already host the vast majority of the world’s refugees? Global leaders must lead by example by offering safe haven, rather than turning their backs on refugees and leaving the job to others.

“With this new vacuum in leadership it’s vital that other countries, including Britain, step forward and ensure that men women and children who are running for their lives are offered safe haven.”