The International Institute of New England (IINE) is saddened by the tragic shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025. We mourn the passing of a young member of the Guard who volunteered to protect and defend her country. The individual who committed this heinous act must be held accountable for their actions.
IINE remains committed to partnering with political leaders to safely welcome immigrants and refugees to our country. We urge leaders and community members to denounce all hate-filled attacks on people because of their race, religion, or national origin, and to advocate for sound, effective procedures that ensure those who come to the U.S. meet the comprehensive requirements of our refugee and asylee laws.
Throughout the past four years and even before that, IINE and other resettlement agencies across the country have welcomed and supported Afghan nationals, including many who were allies to our government during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. These allies and their families are among some of the most heavily vetted immigrants to come to the U.S. We have seen them fill jobs in industries short on labor, learn English, take active roles in civic and faith groups across the country, and, in many cases, become U.S. citizens. They have become our neighbors, co-workers, and friends.
In response to the tragic shooting, the federal government has chosen to initiate vague vetting policies, which give U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials the discretion to deny individuals a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident status because of their country of origin. Rather than making our nation safer for all, this response creates fear and division, weakens due process, and wrongly uses this senseless tragedy to further a xenophobic agenda. It dishonors not only those who lawfully seek to enter our country in search of a better life but also those brave men and women who voluntarily join our armed services to protect us all. It makes us neither more safe nor more free.
