WASHINGTON – This week, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the Trump Administration’s calls for sweeping immigration restrictions from asylum seekers from Afghanistan, the suspension of lawful admissions, and even the illegal denaturalization of American citizens.
“Afghan partners who assisted the U.S. mission in Afghanistan over two decades did so at significant personal risk, often relying on explicit assurances that the United States would stand by them.” Ansari wrote in the letter. “Public declarations suggesting their mass removals, ‘reverse migration,’ or categorical bans on large regions of the world only heighten fear and uncertainty for individuals who trusted the United States, supported our armed forces, and placed themselves and their families in danger to do so.”
“Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest stands with our Afghan refugee neighbors, whose many contributions strengthen the fabric of our communities and our nation. Afghan refugees in Arizona help meet critical labor needs, bringing talent, diversity, and dedication that enrich our workforce and bolster our economy. LSS-SW honors the commitment, resilience, and skill refugees bring to our state. We witness every day how they build new lives, integrate into our communities, and positively impact the lives of those who walk alongside them on their journey. Their stories are powerful testaments to courage, perseverance, and hope. At the same time, we are gravely concerned about cuts to essential benefits that help refugees regain stability as they work tirelessly to rebuild their lives and support their families. We denounce misleading rhetoric that devalues and endangers individuals who have a legal right to be in the United States,” said Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest.
Read the letter HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Noem and Secretary Rubio:
I am writing in the aftermath of the tragic and despicable shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025, that claimed the life of 20-year-old Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, one of the two West Virginia National Guard servicemembers who were attacked. Reports indicate that the individual responsible was an Afghan man who supported CIA operations against the Taliban and was granted asylum earlier this year. As the nation mourns Specialist Beckstrom and prays for her family and fellow servicemembers like Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, it is essential that we respond to this moment with clarity, discipline, and adherence to the rule of law.
In the wake of this awful attack, the Trump Administration has called for sweeping immigration restrictions from asylum seekers, the suspension of lawful admissions, and even the denaturalization of American citizens. While I share the urgency of ensuring our national security and preventing future acts of violence by rogue actors, I am deeply concerned by rhetoric that risks undermining constitutional protections and terrorizing hardworking immigrant communities across the country—including Afghan allies who have already endured extraordinary hardship in service to the United States and our counterterrorism operations Abroad.
Afghan partners who assisted the U.S. mission in Afghanistan over two decades did so at significant personal risk, often relying on explicit assurances that the United States would stand by them. Many continue to navigate complex pathways toward reunification and permanent protection in this country. Public declarations suggesting their mass removals, “reverse migration,” or categorical bans on large regions of the world only heighten fear and uncertainty for individuals who trusted the United States, supported our armed forces, and placed themselves and their families in danger to do so. I urge your Departments to provide clear guidance, timely processing, and robust protections for these vulnerable populations.
I am also compelled to address statements implying that the federal government should revoke citizenship based on subjective assessments of loyalty or political beliefs. U.S. citizenship is constitutionally protected: it cannot be rescinded as a tool of punishment or political disagreement, and denaturalization is permitted only in the narrowest circumstances involving clear, provable fraud in the naturalization process. Raising the prospect of removing citizenship from law-abiding Americans—many of whom have lived, worked, served, and raised families here for decades—is not only unlawful, it is profoundly destabilizing to the millions of immigrant households who contribute to the fabric of our nation.
At a time of global instability when U.S. national security depends on strong partnerships and moral credibility, it is essential for the Departments of Homeland Security and State to reaffirm the integrity of our immigration laws, the permanence of lawful status, and the dignity owed to individuals seeking refuge and asylum in this country. I respectfully request that your Departments publicly clarify these principles and ensure that immigration policy remains grounded in statute, in the Constitution, and in the values that have long defined the United States.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I stand ready to work with you to uphold the rule of law, protect vulnerable communities, and maintain an immigration system that is fair, secure, and reflective of America’s longstanding values and commitments.
Sincerely,
Yassamin Ansari
Member of Congress
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