Refugee Congress Denounces Court Decision Blocking Termination of Title 42
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2022
WASHINGTON–Refugee Congress denounces the Friday court decision halting the Biden administration from terminating Title 42.
Title 42 is a Trump-era policy that has continued to expel people seeking asylum at the U.S. border, sending them back to danger under the guise of public health needs and negatively impacting Latin American asylum-seekers and Black asylum-seekers in particular.
In April, the Centers for Disease Control issued an order announcing the termination of Title 42 by May 23. Friday’s court decision blocks that termination.
“There is no justification for the court’s decision to uphold a policy that was damaging and unnecessary when it was established and continues to cause irreparable harm to people seeking safety. The Biden administration MUST continue to push back against this unjust ruling,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director.
Along with public health experts and human rights, immigrant rights, and countless other advocates, Refugee Congress has strongly opposed this policy. Seeking asylum is a human and legal right, and people doing so should not be expelled back to danger.
"Extending Title 42 has dire consequences. It runs contrary to the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation and denies asylum seekers their legal rights under U.S. law to due process. Moreover, Title 42 has demonstrated a bias double-standard by granting thousands of exceptions for certain groups while denying it for others. Extending this policy is reckless and inhumane. Title 42 needs to be terminated to provide safety and assist humans in times of human crisis," said Nga Vương-Sandoval, Honorary Delegate from Colorado.
“Title 42 is discriminatory and has particularly affected asylees from Haiti and Latin America unfairly,” said Clara Hart, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate. “We welcome our brothers and sisters who are seeking to escape from danger. We must respect that they are fleeing their homes due to fear of violence and persecution. This is the right thing to do on a humanitarian basis.”
Earlier this year, 100 former refugees and asylees delivered a letter urging the Biden administration to discontinue the Title 42 and “Remain in Mexico” policies.
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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.
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