Refugee Congress Deeply Alarmed by Administration’s Harmful Asylum Ban

For Immediate Release: May 11, 2023

Refugee Congress is deeply alarmed that the Biden administration will be moving forward with its plans to institute an asylum ban. This new regulation comes on the heels of the end of Title 42, the harmful Covid-19 era ban that had been used to prevent people from seeking asylum at our borders under the guise of public health safety. Refugee Congress advocated fiercely for the end of Title 42 and while we welcome its departure, we are profoundly disturbed to see it replaced by yet another attempt to impede upon people’s ability to legally seek safety in the U.S. This is no different than the Trump-era policies that harmed more than two million people who should have been able to request asylum at our border.

“As the end of Title 42 is here, we urge the Administration to do what is right, by finding humane solutions to those displaced at the border. Separating children from their parents, or sending people back to harmful conditions in their countries of origin is a step in the wrong direction,” said Lourena Gboeah, Chair, Board of Directors for Refugee Congress.

“We are seeing an upsetting pattern of policies that are one step forward and two steps back. While we welcome the long overdue end to the harmful and inhumane Title 42 policy, it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable to see it replaced by policies that will inflict yet more damage on people who are seeking safety at our borders,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director for Refugee Congress.  “And to what end? The asylum ban and the use of expedited removal serve no purpose other than inflicting cruelty, stripping people of their hope and dignity, keeping families apart, and diluting the strength and integrity of one of our critical lawful pathways. This Administration can and must move away from these policies, and closer to the campaign promises that were made three years ago.”

"Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right of all people to seek and enjoy asylum. While the end of Title 42 is welcome, the asylum ban that the Biden administration wants to implement violates this article and encourages other countries not to respect human rights,"  said Ally Ntumba, Refugee Congress Delegate for Indiana.

"The way in which the government is handling the immigration situation is alarming, creating inhumane policies with which it intends to impose drastic immigration measures that are equal to or worse than Title 42, forgetting that people who come to this country do so because of a real danger in their countries of origin leaving behind everything including family and assets with the sole purpose of survival. I urge the government to stop all policies that violate the human right to migrate," said Luis Mejia, Refugee Congress Delegate for New York.

We strongly urge President Biden to uphold his promise to provide safety for humans who are seeking refuge in the US. As a refugee who has survived atrocities, war, and also sought refuge, I ask him to honor his commitment to protect asylum seekers as he has proclaimed in 2020 that "We're going to restore our moral standing in the world and our historic role as a safe haven for refugees and asylum seekers," said Nga Vương-Sandoval, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate, Colorado.

“Banning asylum, like Title 42 before it, will result in separation of families. Another negative consequence of this policy is the increased risk of trafficking as individuals may be forced to turn to smugglers and other dangerous means to reach safety, said Joseph Sackor, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate, Pennsylvania.

“Being displaced is not by choice and can happen to anyone! No one wishes to be in such an uncomfortable situation. Life happens and we are faced with the reality of home not being what it used to be. All we wish and hope for is a place to feel safe again and start life all over. Let love lead!” said Sharon Njie, Refugee Congress Delegate for Louisiana.

“Determination+Resilience = Refugees,” said Jihan Daman, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate, Michigan.

"I see photographs of people, women, children and families. I can't imagine or believe that I am here on this side. How did I end up as one of the lucky ones? What is my role in this era of greater need? Could it be that easy to forget what it feels like to be on the other side? I am devastated by what I see, even though I know I am on the side that makes a difference in the lives of those on the other side. Congress must be held responsible for the lack of passing immigration reform,” said Clara Hart, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate, South Dakota.

The U.S. has always been a leader in welcoming people seeking safety, and we have repeatedly demonstrated that we are fully capable of and have the capacity to welcome those seeking asylum. When we choose to infringe upon this right in violation of domestic and international laws, the world is watching. As an organization built and led by people from more than 30 countries who have been forcibly displaced and received safety and an opportunity to build a new home in the U.S., we strongly urge the Administration to halt any further efforts to dismantle this legal pathway.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by refugees and other forcibly displaced people to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all forcibly displaced people. 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