November 29, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators continue negotiations on President Biden’s supplemental funding request this week, immigrants’ rights groups are continuing to urge lawmakers to safeguard critical asylum protections and reject all proposals in the supplemental funding bill that deny access to immigration pathways. Rather than limit longstanding U.S. asylum policy that has provided vital protections to generations of people seeking safety in the U.S., groups propose investing in frontline efforts to process migrants, providing resources to cities and communities welcoming them, and safeguarding access to asylum and ensuring the humane treatment of those applying.
According to reports, the deal in discussion would implement an asylum ban, create near impossible barriers to apply for asylum, and undermine humanitarian and other forms of parole. These permanent changes to asylum would do nothing to stem the flow of asylum seekers and lead to devastating consequences at the border and across neighboring countries, jeopardizing security measures, exacerbating border resources, and vulnerable individuals and families seeking safety.
“The proposed changes to immigration policy in current negotiations are unacceptable,” said Cindy Woods, National Policy Counsel at Americans for Immigrant Justice. “While it is undeniable that thoughtful immigration reform—which takes into account the realities of individuals fleeing their homes in search of safety and the longstanding failure of deterrence-based policies—is needed, ceding to these extremely harmful policy shifts will do nothing but create more chaos at the border and harm vulnerable populations.”
As states like Florida and Texas continue to pass harsh anti-immigrant legislation, there is renewed urgency for lawmakers to reaffirm their commitment to immigrants’ rights and upholding America’s longstanding dedication to support vulnerable populations fleeing persecution.
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Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice) is an award-winning non-profit law firm that fights for justice for immigrants through a combination of direct representation, impact litigation, advocacy and outreach. Follow on Twitter and Instagram. Visit aijustice.org.