Washington, DC – For months, people of faith have been calling on the Biden administration to re-designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and end Title 42 expulsions. Last weekend, one prayer was answered. “Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DHS Secretary Mayorkas, as he announced re-designation of TPS.
Yet, under a Trump-era policy, the Biden administration continues to reject Haitian asylum-seekers before they can even make a claim, back to these very same “security concerns, social unrest, … human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources.” Today, 65 high-level faith leaders sent a strongly-worded letter to President Biden urging him to put an end to “Title 42 expulsions” and welcome people seeking asylum with dignity.
“[W]e believe in honoring the inherent dignity of all and welcoming all people. Therefore, we urge you to do everything in your power to restore asylum protections, end the inhumane Title 42 policy, and welcome asylum seekers and unaccompanied children,” they write.
“The policy has been used to expel families with children back to the threat of violence and extortion–particularly felt by Black migrants. Previously, 700 faith leaders denounced the ‘reprehensible’ expulsion of Black migrants to known danger.”
Over 2,000 children are seeking asylum alone after attempting to do so with families, who were turned away under Title 42. The administration’s policy is putting more children in danger and making families less secure. Read the complete letter to President Biden here.
The Welcome With Dignity Campaign is hosting a telephonic press event calling on the Biden administration to re-envision how our nation welcomes people seeking asylum. Pastor Joel Hortiales, Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries and Border Concerns for the United Methodist Church, a co-signer of the letter, will speak at the press conference, alongside Guerline Jozef of Haitian Bridge Alliance and Katharina Obser at the Women’s Refugee Commission.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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(Photo: Mike DuBose, United Methodist News Service)