Trump administration officials are reportedly considering a near shutdown of the U.S. refugee program next year. Politico reported that during a security officials meeting last week, a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services representative suggested setting the cap of refugees allowed in the country at zero in 2020.

The proposal comes after the administration cut the number of refugee entries by a third—to 30,000—coming into this year. The idea has raised concerns within the Department of Defense, who worry that the cut will halt the admission of Iraqis who risk their lives assisting military personnel.

"Over the last 17 years of war, numerous Iraqi nationals have risked their own lives and their families' lives by aligning with our diplomats and warfighters, providing essential mission support. We owe them support for their commitment,” former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wrote in a previously undisclosed letter to White House National Security Adviser John Bolton, obtained by Politico.

The proposition joins yet another restriction on immigrant entry, as administration officials have also recently proposed to end asylum protections for most Central American migrants.

“In the long term, it would mean that the capacity and the ability of the United States to resettle refugees would be completely decimated,” Jen Smyers, a director with Church World Service, said to Politico.

Advocates for the issue have voiced their concerns, arguing that changing the policy would go against what America is all about.

"The United States is a country built by refugees. To refuse to admit refugees, at a time when there are a record number of people fleeing their homes around the world, is a cowardly, racially motivated abdication of our nation's values," Human Rights First's Jennifer Quigley said to CNN.

According to government data, the administration has admitted more than 21,000 refugees as of June 30.

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