The status quo isn't working - we need bipartisan immigration reform
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John,

As a member of the Forum's Digital Communications team, every day, I
read, write, and talk about people, stories, and policies connected to
the U.S.-Mexico border. I work less than four miles from the White
House, and over 1,900 miles from the bridge that links Mexico's Ciudad
Juárez and El Paso in the U.S. - an epicenter of the regional and
global migration that I write about each day. 

Last week, I visited El Paso and Juárez with members of the Forum staff
and the We Welcome <[link removed]> team,
to deepen our understanding of how policies and narratives surrounding
the border shape the lives of people who live there. To be present in
this vibrant, dynamic regional hub bisected by an international boundary
is to be reminded of the inexorable ties between policy mandates that
originate 1,900 miles away at the White House and the lived realities
of people and communities on either side of the border. 

Urge Congress to enact common-sense, sustainable solutions to promote
security at the U.S. Mexico border, the humane treatment of migrants,
and the thriving of all Americans. <[link removed]> 

We got to El Paso in the days following the Biden administration's
announcement that it was creating a parole program for a limited number
of Venezuelans, but had reached an agreement with Mexico to rely on
Title 42 to immediately expel other Venezuelans coming to the
U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum. Community leaders and shelter staff
in El Paso said that they had been intently focused on ensuring they
would have sufficient resources to continue welcoming thousands of
Venezuelan migrants. But suddenly, they told us, Venezuelans stopped
arriving there. After a harrowing journey through several countries,
often on foot, many Venezuelans who would previously have made it to El
Paso and attempted to claim asylum instead are being expelled
immediately to Mexico. There, most are only permitted to stay in Mexico
just 15 days before they must make their way to another country. 

Tell your senators that it's time for more humane and effective border
policy. <[link removed]> 

Decisions from Washington not only impact the migrants and shelter staff
whom we talked with in Juárez, they also shape the day-to-day reality
of the Border Patrol agents on the U.S. side of the border. We spoke
with members of Border Patrol who have deep, multigenerational roots in
the region and a sincere desire to be good stewards of their communities
and protectors of their country. They reminded us that changes in policy
from the White House can dramatically alter their responsibilities,
sometimes over the course of just few short hours.  

Title 42 and the labyrinth of shifting rules around its implementation
have posed a particular challenge. Much to their frustration, the Border
Patrol agents said, the policy has led to an increase in the number of
times they encounter people trying to enter the U.S. without detection.
In addition, they told us that to their great sadness, at times Title 42
has also required them to expel asylum-seekers who have compelling
stories about persecution they face in their home countries. 

The end of Title 42 is long overdue. Tell your members of Congress we
need meaningful reforms to establish fair, humane, and orderly systems
at the border. <[link removed]> 

Our conversations with the migrants, aid workers, faith leaders, and law
enforcement officials who collectively make up the binational,
multicultural region of Juárez and El Paso made one thing clear above
all: for border communities, immigrants, and the American economy to
flourish, we need meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform. 

Make your voice heard. Tell your elected officials you're ready for
immigration reform. <[link removed]> 

Sincerely,

Thea Holcomb
Digital Communications Associate
National Immigration Forum

P.S. Interested in hearing more reflections on the border? My colleagues
Dynahlee <[link removed]>
and Danilo
<[link removed]> have
both written thoughtful and reflective pieces that are well worth your
time.

 

DONATE
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