Biden’s proposal to move forward with asylum ban is a step backwards on his promises
For Immediate Release: February 21, 2023
Washington DC - Refugee Congress is deeply disturbed by the Biden administration’s detrimental decision to move forward with a Trump-era transit ban. This transit ban would bar vulnerable migrants from accessing safety at US borders if they have not already sought and been denied asylum in another country on their journey. The Biden administration’s continued utilization of deterrence-based policies like transit bans and Title 42 have dismantled the legal right to asylum in the US, endangering thousands of people seeking safety.
“This proposed rule barring vulnerable migrants from seeking asylum in the US is exactly the kind of dangerous policy that President Biden claimed to want to end during his election campaign,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Refugee Congress Executive Director. “Despite what the administration has stated recently, this is in fact an updated Trump-era policy that has been struck down by courts more than once. We are deeply troubled by the administration’s continued support of harmful, deterrence-based policies.”
“We are outraged to hear the Biden administration’s new development of the asylum ban. The asylum ban would make it impossible for people traveling through a third country to claim asylum. This rule would make thousands of people vulnerable to unsafe living conditions at the border, “ said Basma Alawee, Honorary Delegate for Florida. “There are ways of addressing the needs of migrants in a way that is humane and welcoming. However, the Biden administration has repeatedly shown that it does not side with migrants. Rather, it prioritizes deflecting any accusations made by anti-immigrant and anti-refugee politicians. We urge the Biden administration to create more humane solutions.”
While campaigning for election, President Biden stated, “If I'm elected president, we're going to immediately end Trump's assault on the dignity of immigrant communities. We're going to restore our moral standing in the world and our historic role as a safe haven for refugees and asylum-seekers.” Since being elected, the Biden administration has pursued the same dangerous policies, leaning on band-aid measurements rather than restoring the US’s capacity to welcome those fleeing danger.
Refugee Congress strongly urges on the Biden administration to refrain from enacting this “transit ban” which will send many vulnerable men, women, and children at our borders back to harm.
