Washington, DC – As the fate of the U.S. asylum system hangs in the balance, 235 religious leaders and 143 national, state, and local faith-based organizations have sent a letter to the White House urging the Biden administration to reject the extreme, anti-immigrant proposals that are being considered as part of a supplemental aid package. Lea la carta en Español aquí.
The current legislative deal would pair permanent restrictions to the U.S. immigration and asylum system with unrelated foreign assistance funding. Among the harmful policies reportedly under consideration include a dramatic expansion of expedited removal and deportations, expanding and codifying an asylum “transit ban,” and the imposition of a much more restrictive screening standard for those seeking protection. These provisions would separate families; harm migrants, including children; and eliminate life-saving protections for people fleeing violence and persecution—none of which promote effective border management.
Leveraging the lives and safety of marginalized people should not be up for discussion. For weeks, faith-based organizations and advocates have urged U.S. officials to preserve the human right to seek asylum. The demands in today’s letter echo the ongoing call of members of Congress, business leaders, border communities, religious groups, and human rights advocates to protect asylum.
As the letter states:
“Attempting to leverage the safety, freedom, and well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable people for unrelated foreign policy objectives is a violation of our call to honor and uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, no matter their country of origin or the circumstances they face.
An increasing proportion of asylum seekers arriving at the border in recent months have been families with children, and unaccompanied minor children. For generations, our sacred texts and practices have affirmed and upheld the essential nature of the family. Many of our faith traditions stress the importance of protecting the most vulnerable among us, and thus call on us to safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable, including families, children, and other at-risk individuals. Unfortunately, the proposals under consideration would weaken protections and eliminate due process for many families and children, needlessly putting them at risk of being returned to danger.
Our nation’s diverse faith traditions call us to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner. The asylum provisions under consideration are not in line with our country and our communities’ long legacy of welcome. We urge your administration and members of Congress to reject the permanent asylum restrictions under discussion and support solutions that would live up to our values and welcome the most vulnerable.”
The complete letter and list of signatories is available here y en Español aquí.
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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