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Dear John,
The Trump administration has launched its most devastating attack against asylum seekers to date. This is just one more in a long line of the administration’s attempts to block the rights of asylum seekers, now under cover of COVID-19 and in denial of scientific evidence. The proposed rule does nothing to make the U.S. safer.

We need you to write a quick note on behalf of asylum seekers. If we don’t act now people seeking safety could be unjustly deported.


It will only take a few minutes of your time... but the impact could be massive. The administration must read every single unique comment. We believe that if enough comments are submitted, it could slow the rule's implementation significantly or cause the administration to abandon it altogether. You can help delay this dangerous proposal from being implemented by submitting a personalized public comment to the federal register in opposition by midnight tonight.

Annually, the IRC serves over 8,500 asylum seeking individuals, children, and families so we know firsthand the violence and persecution causing these individuals to flee. In my advocacy work at the IRC, I have the privilege of learning personal, individual stories of asylum seeking families.

I also know the damage harmful policies can cause. Using a global pandemic as an excuse to bar asylum seekers from entering the U.S. violates international and U.S. asylum law.

During a global pandemic, this rule would block asylum seekers even for passing through a country with COVID-19 cases, which is virtually impossible as now 188 countries have reported cases. Even if an asylum seeker doesn't exhibit symptoms, they could be blocked from asylum protection. This rule also applies to asylum seekers who fall ill from COVID-19 while in the U.S. awaiting their asylum hearing — including those who contracted the disease while in ICE detention centers.

The rule would also bar asylum-seeking nurses, doctors, and all other essential personnel who have "come into contact with" COVID-19. Individuals who have risked their lives protecting U.S. communities could be banned from humanitarian protection even if they had fled legitimate threats of or actual persecution.

It's essential that we hold those in power to upholding existing international and U.S. asylum law. We need to stop them from distorting the law to their prejudices.

I will be standing with asylum seekers today by submitting as many unique public comments as I can. I hope you will join me.»

Thank you for your urgent action today.

Melinda Frimpong
Digital Advocacy Senior Officer
International Rescue Committee



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