From the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (http://www.interfaithimmigration.org):
by Melissa Stek|Published April 1, 2022
Washington, DC – Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced its plans to terminate Title 42 by May 23. The public health order, first invoked by the Trump administration and continued by the Biden administration, has been misused for over two years to block migrants from seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border under the guise of protecting public health. Title 42 has resulted in approximately 1.7 million expulsions of asylum seekers back to harm, which has disproportionately impacted Black migrants. Over 10,000 documented incidents of kidnapping, torture, rape, and other violent attacks against vulnerable migrants have been reported since the start of the Biden administration due to Title 42.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition welcomes the decision to terminate Title 42 as a beginning step towards rebuilding a just and humane asylum system. Following the lead of immigrant groups, faith organizations have been persistent in their efforts to urge the Biden administration to put an end to Title 42, Remain in Mexico, and other inhumane, asylum-blocking policies, and to restore a humane and just asylum system built on the faith values of hospitality and welcome, with due process and without discrimination.
Upon the CDC’s announcement and as the administration builds on its plans for governing the U.S. southern border in the coming months, member organizations of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition call on the Biden administration to:
- immediately halt Title 42 expulsions and put an end to the Remain in Mexico policy (“Migrant Protection Protocols”) and all other border policies that restrict migrants’ access to asylum;
- collaborate and communicate directly with border organizations as partners to ensure they have the resources they need to welcome people in need of safety;
- work closely with sending and transit countries to holistically address root causes to forced migration;
- and restore a welcoming asylum system that protects people from detention and being returned to dangerous situations, and gives equal opportunity to all people fleeing violence and persecution, without discrimination.
Our faith traditions call us to welcome vulnerable people with warmth and open arms, and we call on the Biden administration to do the same. We urge him as a fellow person of faith to join us in being fully prepared to welcome all people with dignity by providing a comprehensive and clearly-communicated plan to build an equitable, humane, and anti-racist asylum system. We eagerly await these plans and we eagerly await the opportunity to welcome our new neighbors.
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