John,

Congress is negotiating permanent changes to our immigration laws that would end asylum as we know it, expedite removal of immigrants, and increase family detention―with potential votes later this week.¹

We know from previous years that Black, brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ immigrants will be the most harmed by these measures that will do nothing but endanger lives. Inhumane immigration enforcement policies threaten the unity, health, and well-being of tens of thousands of immigrant families―including 5 million children who have at least one undocumented parent.²

A recent article in American Journal News highlighted a new study that emphasized “the positive impact immigrants consistently have on the U.S. economy.”³

The report found that “some of the biggest contributors to economic growth are refugees and asylum seekers.” Migrants and asylum seekers contributed $3 billion in state and federal taxes in 2021 and they generated approximately $7 billion in income when they started new businesses.

Immigrants are members of our communities who contribute to our economy and our society. Immigrants make our communities stronger throughout our country. Immigrants are our neighbors, classmates, doctors, workers. As a nation of immigrants, we must keep fighting to ensure all those who are fleeing violence and persecution are welcome here.

Sign now to fight back against asylum bans and tell Congress that seeking asylum is a human right.

Thousands of migrants are fleeing violence and poverty in their countries of origin, seeking a better life in the U.S. And people fleeing for their lives have a legal right to seek safety.

The right to asylum is a measure of our commitment to human rights and dignity. It is a reflection of our values as a nation. We must ensure that this right is protected and that those who seek refuge find the safety and respect they deserve. Preventing asylum seekers from legally seeking asylum, restricting legal entry through humanitarian parole, and fast-tracking the deportation of families at the border are not only inhumane policies―they are also counterproductive, leaving desperate migrants who are fleeing to save their lives with no legal options.

While members of Congress are seeking to deny those rights, the majority of voters support asylum:

The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right and we have a moral obligation to establish a system that treats all migrants in a safe and humane way. Add your name now.

Policymakers are negotiating permanent immigration policy changes now, so we must make our voices heard.

The bill includes:

• New Title 42-like expulsion authority: This policy would prevent asylum seekers from legally seeking asylum. This approach is unrealistic, unworkable, harmful, and undermines international law. It’ll do nothing to address border security.

• Parole: The parole pathways are the single most effective tool to reduce pressure on the border. Therefore, ending or severely restricting humanitarian parole would backfire, as those from high-demand nations would no longer be able to apply for legal immigration, spurring a massive increase in border arrivals.

• FERM program: Fast track deportation of families at the border. This cruel policy would force families back to dangerous conditions and force them to flee again.

• Raising the credible fear standard, combined with the new expulsion authority is designed to eliminate due process and make it nearly impossible to access asylum.

Thank you for fighting for the rights and humane treatment of all people seeking peace and safety at our borders and throughout the world.

Dominique Espinoza
Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ A big week for border talks
² Still at Risk: The Urgent Need to Address Immigration Enforcement’s Harms to Children
³ Immigrants boost New York’s economy, new study finds