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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 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.
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,” 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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