Biden’s Executive Action Raises Concerns

B Stands for Biden's Order

Greetings,

Earlier this month, President Biden announced new actions to secure the border. The administrative actions suspend the entry of the majority of migrants at the U.S. southern border when numbers exceed a daily average of 2,500 over a week’s time.

While the Biden administration is right to recognize that border challenges require solutions, these administrative actions are not the long-term solutions our country needs. Americans understand that border security is paramount, but the right to seek asylum is a human right. People fleeing persecution or conflict should have the opportunity to seek asylum at our border according to US and international law.

A new survey indicates that Americans — including conservatives and Republicans — overwhelmingly support legislative solutions that include funding border personnel, protecting legitimate asylum claims, and ensuring humanitarian needs, while providing legal-migration pathways that promote order and fairness.

Many migrants seeking protection at our border are fleeing dangerous situations in their home countries such as war, drug cartels, or political persecution. The new restrictions could deny people with legitimate asylum claims the right to access the asylum system and leave them in dangerous and life-threatening situations. Blanket restrictions to asylum are not the solution. The National Immigration Forum (together with key partners) recently released Border Security and Management Framework aiming to point the way forward. The framework has four sections that address current border challenges and proposed improvements.

(Source: National Immigration Forum Twitter)

"It’s unfortunate that politics are driving the immigration conversation in an increasingly restrictive direction. While there’s no question the U.S. needs to better address challenges at the border, the use of 212(f) authority is concerning," said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum.

Lawmakers from both parties need to prioritize long overdue immigration reforms. Congress needs to lead on effective, sustainable, and bipartisan border policies that secure our border and protect the right to asylum.

We hope you continue to advocate with us for meaningful bipartisan immigration reform.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Oula Alrifai

Oula Alrifai
Assistant Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum

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