Refugee Congress Condemns Reported Expansion of Title 42
For Immediate Release: September 19, 2022
Refugee Congress is deeply troubled by reports that the Biden Administration is working to expand the use of Title 42 to return additional migrants to Mexico without due process.
Title 42 is a Trump-era policy that expels people who are seeking asylum at the U.S. border, sending them back to danger under the guise of public health needs. Refugee Congress praised the Biden Administration for announcing their intention to end this harmful and ineffective policy earlier this year and has supported their efforts to do so despite numerous ongoing legal challenges. We are disturbed by reports that the Administration has now been quietly pressuring Mexico to accept migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in addition to those from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
“America has always been a beacon of hope for asylees and refugees. The expansion of the Trump-Era title 42 is antithetical to the American values of welcoming strangers who are fleeing various crises,” said Joseph Sackor, Honorary Delegate for Pennsylvania.
Along with public health experts and human rights, immigrant rights and countless other advocates, Refugee Congress has strongly opposed the Title 42 and earlier this year, 100 refugees and asylees delivered a letter urging the Biden administration to discontinue both the Title 42 and “Remain in Mexico” policies.
“There was no justification for Title 42 when it was instituted and there is no justification for it now ,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “We will continue to hold this administration accountable to the commitments they made to restoring and strengthening our asylum program, and this latest development runs entirely contrary to that commitment.
Refugee Congress strongly urges the Biden Administration to immediately end its wrongful expulsion of asylum seekers, halt any expansion of Title 42, and keep its promise to end Title 42 altogether.
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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
