The ability to seek asylum is a fundamental right that affords refuge to the most vulnerable. The United States has long been a leader in this mission, opening our doors to individuals fleeing persecution from around the world.
Despite the legal framework establishing this right, the Trump administration has adopted a policy to block all access to our ports for people seeking asylum, preventing them from being able to make their claims. This is the most egregious step in a years-long, cross-administration effort to turn back asylum seekers at ports of entry before they can begin the process.
Our lawsuit—filed on behalf of Al Otro Lado, the Haitian Bridge Alliance, and individual plaintiffs who are seeking access to asylum at ports—aims to hold the government accountable for this violation of law.
In January, when the policy took effect, some 30,000 peoplewho had been diligently waiting for their asylum appointments were left in limbo, vulnerable to the cartels and stranded in dangerous conditions in Mexico. They include adults who were forced to leave their loved ones, families with children, and individuals whose identities and beliefs alone make them a target of discrimination and violence.
The Council is committed to ensuring due process in a climate where it is being discarded to advance an anti-immigrant agenda that threatens our economy, values, and communities.
