[[link removed]]
Dear John,
The situation at the southern border is undoubtedly challenging right now. But crucially, there is a better way forward.
Yesterday, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, our Policy Director, testified before Congress [[link removed]] to explain the challenge the U.S. faces in simultaneously carrying out immigration enforcement and ensuring humanitarian protection laws are followed.
Immigration officials are given the discretion to choose between different—and at times competing—legal options, like whether to detain or release migrants. Some members of Congress would like to see every migrant detained—but that is simply not possible, necessary, or legal.
Watch the Testimony » [[link removed]]
The testimony emphasizes that:
*
Immigration
officials
have
more
options
than
just
detaining
individuals
seeking
protection
and
releasing
some
migrants
at
the
border
is
a
lawful
exercise
of
the
executive
branch’s
authority.

*
Every
presidential
administration
has
released
some
migrants
after
crossing
the
border,
due
to
legal,
logistical,
and
diplomatic
concerns.

*
Spending
$8
on
immigration
enforcement
for
every
$1
spent
on
immigration
adjudications
has
led
to
skyrocketing
backlogs
and
a
system
that
does
not
work
for
anyone.
Ultimately, Congress has the power to change the situation at the border by updating our immigration laws and providing the necessary resources to fund a modern humanitarian protection system.
We also encourage you to read our recent blueprint for solutions at the border: “ Beyond A Border Solution: How to Build a Humanitarian Protection System That Won’t Break [[link removed]] ,” which includes 13 recommendations for the administration and Congress.
We look forward to continuing to provide research and educate Congress on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Robbins
Executive Director
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