UN refugee agency "deeply worried" over U.S. refugee program suspension

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Monday said that he is deeply worried by the uncertainty facing thousands of refugees around the world who are in the process of being resettled to the United States.

A statement issued by the UN refugee agency UNHCR on Monday said that this week alone, over 800 refugees were set to make America their new home, but instead find themselves barred from travelling to the United States.

UNHCR estimates that 20,000 refugees in precarious circumstances might have been resettled to the United States during the 120 days covered by the suspension announced Friday, based on average monthly figures for the last 15 years.

"Refugees are anxious, confused and heartbroken at this suspension in what is already a lengthy process," the statement noted.

According to UNHCR, the vast majority of the world's refugees are hosted in developing countries, and less than 1 percent will ever be resettled globally.

"The High Commissioner underlines once again UNHCR's position that refugees should receive equal treatment for protection and assistance, and opportunities for resettlement, regardless of their religion, nationality or race," the statement concluded.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday last week enacting a vetting process for refugees coming into the United States, in the name of guarding against terrorist threats. Endit