Poder Latinx Statement on White House-Congress Negotiations Around Asylum Provisions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8th, 2023
CONTACT:
Mynellies Negrón | 703-585-6727 | mynegron@poderlatinx.org
NATIONWIDE - A series of anti-asylum congressional measures has found its way into discussions and negotiations surrounding an unrelated foreign military aid funding package that should provide new aid for Ukraine and Israel. According to media reports, the White House is open to trade and compromise these immigration provisions, which include raising the asylum access threshold, barring asylum for those passing through third countries, and expanding expedited removal across the entire U.S. territory.
If enacted, these drastic changes would significantly impede access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, violate international refugee obligations, worsen the humanitarian situation, and expose long-standing community members to heightened deportation risks. The implications of these proposed alterations to U.S. immigration law are far-reaching and harmful to the immigrant community in the United States. Enacting these policies would reverse the progress made on immigration and go against the Biden administration's original immigration promises.
The following statement is attributed to Yadira Sánchez, Executive Director of Poder Latinx:
“Addressing the immigration and asylum situation requires comprehensive solutions, primarily focusing on humanitarian relief. We must shift away from viewing the border as a political bargaining piece and the lives of migrants and asylum seekers from being reduced to pawns in political games. Our approach should prioritize empathy for human dignity, recognizing the urgency of assisting those in need and who are closer to our very own communities. By fostering a non-partisan commitment to human rights, we can work towards a more humane and effective immigration system that upholds our values and responsibilities. Discussions and actions must reflect a genuine commitment to alleviating the suffering of vulnerable individuals rather than hide behind self-serving political messages."
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