FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Romelo Wilson; rwilson@westendstrategy.com; 202-714-4178
Advocates for migrant rights are disheartened by the new policy that restricts asylum seekers
WASHINGTON– National faith and immigrant justice leaders are collectively condemning President Joe Biden’s executive order that places limitations on asylum seekers from entering the United States.
The new executive order would place a daily cap of asylum seekers at 2,500, with the borders remaining closed until the number of entries drops back down to 1,500 for a week. The Biden Administration’s new plan also restricts migrants who enter the United States illegally from claiming asylum, allowing them to get deported to their country of origin. In statements, leaders from Faith in Action, as well as their federation in New Mexico, denounced the legislation, which they say will endanger migrants and runs counter to commonly held values of welcoming migrants and caring for neighbors.
Omar Perez, immigrant justice director at Faith in Action: “The president’s inhumane policy is a continuation and expansion of the xenophobic plans that we saw in former President Trump’s 2018 immigration plan. It’s disheartening to see our president play political games with migrant lives in order to appease pressure from conservatives in an election year. Asylum seekers aren’t political pawns, they are parents, siblings and children simply looking for safety and protection. Rather than penalizing individuals striving for a better life, Congress and political leaders should demonstrate compassion toward migrant people escaping violence and persecution by creating a pathway to to citizenship”
Bishop Dwayne Royster, interim executive director at Faith in Action: “Rejecting migrants at our borders contradicts our nation’s fundamental values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The recent executive order, devoid of compassion, fails to recognize the struggles of those seeking refuge and survival. As individuals guided by faith, it is imperative that we unite in championing policies that honor the dignity and rights of every person, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status. Together, let us strive to build a society where the inherent worth of every human being is not only acknowledged but fiercely protected.”
Brenda Martinez, interim executive director at NM CAFé: “Deterrence measures that have been attempted or implemented by past administrations have failed, and they will continue to fail. The Biden administration continues to ignore those failed lessons from its past predecessors. There has been a historic disregard for those of us that live, breathe, and dwell along this border. Nobody asks our people or in general those who are directly impacted by ever changing immigration and border policies what they need or what they want for a cohesive humanitarian response to the border militarization on the U.S. side of the border.”
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Faith in Action is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
