Washington, DC – Today, 103 faith-based organizations and 215 faith leaders sent a letter to Congress urging them to uphold U.S. asylum laws and strongly reject any anti-asylum measures. Earlier this month, people of faith joined immigrant-led groups in welcoming the Biden administration’s plans to end the inhumane Title 42 policy by May 23rd, and expressed their readiness to work with the administration to restore welcome.
Today’s letter was delivered to Congress as the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Biden administration can terminate the dangerous so-called “Migrant Protection Protocols” program, also known as “Remain in Mexico,” and after legislative efforts from Congress to keep Title 42 in place. People of faith stand firm in their conviction that the United States must restore access to asylum and welcome all people with dignity.
The letter states:
“We write to strongly urge you to uphold our asylum laws and vote NO on any proposal that would limit or undermine access to asylum. Of immediate concern is the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, (S. 4036/H.R. 7458), an anti-asylum bill recently introduced in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.
Maintaining Title 42 amounts to more suffering for asylum seekers patiently waiting their chance to legally ask for protection. We believe it is possible to safely and humanely receive asylum seekers while safeguarding public health… Lawmakers have a moral imperative to oppose this legislation and any anti-asylum proposal that would keep Title 42 in place.
Politicizing Title 42 is harmful to asylum seekers and communities at home. We urge you to depoliticize and decouple Title 42 and COVID-19 aid and legislate on the common good. The promise of working toward the common good has delivered us through the pandemic and can lead us to a better future where we welcome with dignity.
Our faith traditions call us to welcome vulnerable people with warmth and open arms, and we call on members of Congress to do the same. We urge you to fiercely reject this dangerous bill, oppose similar measures, and hold the Biden administration accountable to ending this policy once and for all by May 23rd. As people of faith, we are ready and eager to welcome all people with dignity and urge you to work with the administration to support a comprehensive and clearly-communicated plan to build an equitable, humane, and anti-racist asylum system.”
Read the complete letter and list of signatories here.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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