Will County Gazette

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) doesn't want to shut the door on refugees, as he fears it will help with the Trump administration decision to lower the number of refugees permitted into the United States.

“I am disappointed at preliminary reports showing a reduction in the numbers of vulnerable refugees our country will be able to resettle next year," Hultgren said in a statement. "I believe we can balance both compassion and security and remain the world’s shining city on a hill."

Hultgren works with several organizations dealing with refugees, including being co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

“We should help both those who want to stay in their homelands and the most vulnerable who have fled based on a grounded fear of facing persecution or death if they return," Hultgren said in the statement. "Let’s trust our longstanding and rigorous vetting system, with its strong record of success, to open the door to those most in need."

The new cap is expected to cut the number of refugees allowed into the United States from 50,000 to 40,000 per year.