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At a Wednesday hearing the Biden administration defended the continued use of Title 42, the policy instituted under the Trump administration in the guise of a public health order, reports Camilo Montoya-Galvez of CBS News. The Biden administration continues to use the
policy to expel thousands of migrants without giving them a chance to request asylum.
"The statute refers to introducing a disease but COVID is unfortunately quite introduced into the United States by this point in time," noted U.S. Circuit Judge Robert Wilkins, a Trump appointee and one of three judges on the appeals-court panel that will determine whether to uphold a lower court order deeming Title 42 likely illegal. Wilkins noted that some experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention objected to the policy.
Expelling migrants puts them in harm’s way: Human Rights First reports at least "8,705 attacks, including kidnappings and sexual assaults, against migrants and asylum-seekers stranded in Mexico" since Biden assumed office last year. As we have noted, Title 42 also inflates numbers of border crossings as people try repeatedly to enter.
A couple of other border-related stories to note:
- Casa del Migrante, the largest nonprofit migrant shelter in Juarez, Mexico, paused taking migrants in, citing overcrowding and COVID-19 concerns, reports Julian Resendiz of Border Report.
- Some promising news: The administration is considering providing coronavirus vaccinations to migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border while they await their court hearings, per Stef W. Kight of Axios. However, the policy would not apply to those expelled under Title 42.
Welcome to Thursday’s edition of Noorani’s Notes. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s strategic communications VP, filling in for Ali today. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].
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ONE YEAR — Today marks one year in office for President Biden. In our newest episode of Only in America, we speak with Kristie
De Peña, Vice President for policy and director of immigration at the Niskanen Center, and Danilo Zak, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Forum to assess the first year in immigration advocacy under the Biden administration. And tomorrow, we’re teaming up with our friends at Refugee Council USA to dig into the state of our refugee resettlement system, the response to Afghan evacuees, and our approach to asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Facebook Live begins at 1 p.m. EST. And don’t forget to check out our latest paper, a precursor to the discussion.
‘CONTINUED CALAMITY’ — Stephania Taladrid of dives deep into the "continued calamity" at the U.S.-Mexico border stemming from failed immigration policies. Taladrid centers on "Dolores" and "Rosalba," a mother and daughter from El Salvador, who paid seven thousand dollars to traffickers to help them get across the border in August after gangs began demanding protection money. They ended up in the dangerous city of Reynosa, Mexico, and struggled to find safety from local gangs. "With a monthly average of more than a hundred thousand apprehensions reported by U.S. border agents last year, experts estimate that yearly earnings amount to billions of dollars," writes Taladrid. There are some great quotes in this piece, including from former Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. (and former Forum board member) Arturo Sarukhán.
A TEACHER’S WELCOME — After fleeing Afghanistan and hopping around temporary housing, Fayaz Ahmadi and his family finally
resettled in their new home in Tucson, Arizona, in November, reports Carmen Duarte for the Arizona Daily Star. On
the last part of the journey, Fayez, who speaks English, befriended a former elementary teacher and university literacy professor named Stephanie McAndrews, who has since opened her home to the family — an especially warm welcome over the holidays. "These are appreciative, kind and grateful people who will contribute to our society and help people see that they want
positive things for their families, schooling and education," McAndrews said. "... We should not close our doors to others, but open our arms to welcome diverse people as they enrich our lives."
Today’s series of
local welcome includes:
- A new donation center sponsored by real estate developer Krause+ has opened in Des Moines, Iowa, to help "facilitate contributions, including large donations like furniture" for Afghan refugees. (Jason Clayworth, Axios)
- Since October, World Relief Quad Cities has helped resettle 140 Afghan refugees to the area. The resettlement agency aspires to resettle 32 more Afghans by mid-February and welcomes donations like furniture, appliances, or clothes. (Hernan Gutierrez, KWQC News)
- In Omaha, Nebraska, organizations like Restoring Dignity, The Furniture Project, and the Refugee Empowerment Center have stepped up to help with Afghan resettlement efforts. This week alone, the city will resettle 74 Afghan refugees, out of an estimated 900 by the end of February. (Mary Nelson, KMTV)
- In Massachusetts, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448 raised $10,000 to help Jewish Family Services of Berkshire County assist with Afghan relocation efforts. (Brittany Polito, iBerkshires)
Thanks for reading, Dan
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