Washington, DC – Today, 322 religious leaders and 100 faith-based organizations across traditions sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to reverse the recent expansion of Title 42, an asylum-blocking expulsion policy first invoked by the Trump administration to turn away asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border under the guise of protecting public health.
The expansion, announced October 12, stated that DHS would begin to expel nearly all Venezuelans seeking refuge at the U.S.-Mexico border through an expansion of Title 42, with an exception for no more than 24,000 Venezuelans who have ties in the United States to sponsor them. Faith communities across the country opposed this plan and reaffirmed their demand for restored access to asylum for all in today’s letter.
The signatories wrote:
“Though the Biden administration had already promised to end the policy, we urge you to immediately reverse this Title 42 expansion and invest in expanding our nation’s capacity to welcome asylum seekers…
Across faith traditions and practices, the message is clear: We are called by our sacred texts and faith principles to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner. Venezuelans are facing an acute humanitarian crisis with 7.1 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants worldwide. The Venezuelan government is responsible for extrajudicial executions, persecution of political opponents, disappearances, tortured detainees, and many more violent crimes—and COVID-19 restrictions intensified this severe political, economic, and social turmoil. We are encouraged by the administration’s steps to establish temporary protections for Venezuelans with U.S. ties—and we recognize the Venezuelan parole program will positively impact a comparatively low number of at-risk Venezuelans in need of (permanent) protection. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home…
As people of faith, we are ready and eager to welcome all people with dignity and urge you to take every step possible to restore and rebuild an equitable, humane, and anti-racist asylum system. Rather than basing asylum eligibility on nationality, we call on the administration to immediately reverse this Title 42 expansion and embrace the legal right to seek protection from persecution for all. Instead of entrenching immoral and unlawful anti-asylum policies, the administration should fully restore asylum protections, invest in community-based case management for asylum seekers, and scale up access to the life-saving U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)…
Our faith traditions call us to welcome vulnerable people with warmth and open arms, and we call on the Biden administration to facilitate the humane and safe reception of people seeking refuge in the United States in compliance with U.S. law and international treaty obligations. Our places of worship and faith communities stand ready to welcome all in need of refuge.”
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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