ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) today issued this statement as the Trump administration expedites refugee processing for a group of white South Africans.

“The Trump administration, which closed the refugee resettlement process in January, reopened it to provide swift processing for a group of white South Africans, who were flown to the United States yesterday.

“While this expedited action raises serious concerns for those who are not included in this group – the thousands of refugees in camps and urban environments where CVT has healing centers helping survivors of torture – it is notable that the administration has the capacity to move this process forward so swiftly.

“The United Nations has reported that more than 122 million people have been forcibly displaced by torture, persecution and violent conflict and are desperately seeking refuge. In addition, this is a significant action especially as Afghan refugees who have been living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), only yesterday had that protection revoked by the president.

“Resettling white South Africans to the United States, through expedited processing no less, while the administration claims it can’t resettle refugees fleeing war and torture and other forms of persecution – some of whom were already approved to come to the United States – is indefensible.” -Yumna Rizvi, CVT senior policy analyst

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization with offices in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, United States and additional project sites around the world. Visit www.cvt.org