Spanish
A tense debate took place on the morning of this Tuesday during a public hearing in which the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, participated, when addressing the implementation of a controversial refugee program promoted by the Donald Trump administration.
The plan, which gives priority to white South African citizens of Afrikaner origin, has generated strong criticism for discriminating against other vulnerable groups worldwide. During the exchange, Senator Rubio's microphone was momentarily muted, reflecting the high level of tension in the room.
Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, known for his closeness to the Dominican community in the U.S., directly questioned Rubio about the program's criteria. He pointed out the exclusion of persecuted communities such as the Uyghurs in China, the Rohingya in Burma, or political dissidents in regimes like those of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, who face serious human rights violations.
The debate reveals deep divisions regarding the country's immigration and asylum policy, at a time when international pressure is growing on the United States to adopt a more equitable stance in the care of refugees.
