UNHCR Special Envoy for Refugee Issues and actress Angelina Jolie, exits Maximos Mansion in Athens, after meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. (Alexandros Maragos/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty)
Angelina Jolie has slammed U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump for his plan to ban Muslims from entering the country if he is elected to the White House.
The Wanted star, a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has been lobbying government officials around the world to do more to tackle the refugee crisis in recent years, particularly to help those displaced by the Syrian war.
She underlined her message on Monday to mark the BBC’s World on the Move day, which examines the problem of refugees across the globe, and warned that policies of isolationism are counter-productive to world peace and security.
“Fear of uncontrolled migration has eroded public confidence and the ability of governments and international institutions to control the situation,” Jolie declared at an event in London. “It has given space to a false air of legitimacy to those who promote politics of fear and separation.
“It has created the risk of a race to the bottom with countries competing to be the toughest in the hope of protecting themselves whatever the cost or challenge to their neighbours, and despite their international responsibilities,” she continued, adding, “If your neighbor’s house is on fire you are not safe if you lock your doors. Strength lies in being unafraid.”
She went on to express her disapproval of Trump’s immigration plan, after the property tycoon called for a temporary ban on all Muslims traveling to the U.S.
Making her feelings clear, Jolie explained, “To me, America is built on people from around the world coming together for freedoms, especially freedom of religion. So it’s hard to hear this is coming from someone who is pressing to be an American president.”
Jolie is the latest Hollywood star to blast Trump’s bid for the presidency after George Clooney and Johnny Depp both recently spoke out against the billionaire businessman’s campaign, during which the reality star-turned-politician has come under attack for his controversial remarks about illegal immigrants and Muslims.