Refugee Justice League says its been inundated with calls from local asylum seekers

SALT LAKE CITY — The Refugee Justice League held a press conference Wednesday morning after receiving a surge of calls from refugees in Utah. The calls came in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order halting new refugee admissions to the United States.

We’ve called this press conference to get the word out that Utah attorneys are ready to help refugees in this time when there are accusations, many of them false, about who’s safe in our country, who should be in our country, and we want to assure Utahns the refugees who come into this country are carefully vetted and are worthy of our trust and acceptance,” said Richard Lambert, the former chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice in Utah.

The League’s President and lead attorney, Norman McKellar, discussed how refugees are incredibly valuable to the community but also vulnerable.

In response, the League has developed cards for refugees to carry, which outline their rights during encounters with federal authorities or law enforcement.

The cards read:

“I choose to exercise my rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

1. I do not wish to speak with you or hand you any documents without my attorney present.
2. I do not give you permission to enter my home unless you have a warrant with my name on it, signed by a judge or magistrate.
3. I do not give you permission to search my vehicle or any of my belongings.
4. Please contact my attorneys at Refugee Justice League for further information.”

McKellar also reflected on how, during Trump’s first term, they assisted refugees, particularly those from Muslim communities, who were questioned by federal agents.

“We’re expecting some bad things coming, it happened the last time he took office, and it seems to be more of a focus this time,” McKellar said.

Maram Alshammari, a refugee herself, shared her personal experience of discrimination growing up in Utah. She described how comforting it was to have legal support from attorneys during difficult times.

“They would call me toilet paperhead, a terrorist or a bomber, and I tried to block out those hurtful comments. I think it’s so important to differentiate a refugee from an illegal immigrant. Refugees go through a lengthy process and they aren’t hopping a border. It’s so important to understand that these people come to America for an opportunity to live a safe life and these refugees come because they want to be part of the community.”

The League’s attorneys also want the public to understand that refugees are in the country legally and are not a criminal or terrorist risk. They are offering free legal assistance to any refugees who face harassment or discrimination.

For more information, visit the League’s website.