,

It’s been just under two weeks since the Biden administration rightly announced plans to end the Trump-era Title 42 expulsion order, which shut down access to legal asylum at the border and put thousands of people in harm’s way — all under the guise of “protecting public health.”

The Biden administration’s decision to finally end Title 42 expulsions is a significant step forward that will save lives. However, despite majority support for ending Title 42, a handful of Democratic senators are joining forces with Republicans to derail this progress.

Last week, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced a bill that would upend America’s asylum system and keep Title 42 expulsions in place, continuing to put thousands of vulnerable asylum seekers — fleeing war and persecution — in danger. This political move is an assault on legal asylum cloaked in the language of oversight and the false pretense of public health.

Experts across the country have repeatedly made it clear that there is no public health justification for the Title 42 expulsion order. The CDC’s decision to end the policy proves them right. Simply put: it is illegal and immoral to block access to asylum and put people in harm’s way.

, we have identified key senators who need to hear this message loud and clear. Your voice, joining thousands of others, could make the difference in whether this cruel bill becomes law. Take action with us by tweeting at the senators we’ve identified, urging them to support President Biden’s decision, follow the law, and stand with asylum seekers to ensure they have access to protection >>>

If lawmakers need a plan, here it is: restore access to asylum, in accordance with U.S. law, and allow cases to be processed. The work is difficult, but necessary, in order to save lives. Please help us put pressure on senators who are standing in the way of the legal right to asylum.

Thank you for your advocacy in this critical moment.

Sincerely,

Marielena Hincapié
Executive Director
National Immigration Law Center