John,
I wanted to make sure this news doesn't get lost in your inbox because I know you care about asylum seekers.
The Biden administration recently announced a new proposal that will bar thousands of people from asylum in the U.S. Anyone who has not applied for asylum while passing through a third country or who did not manage to make an appointment to seek asylum at a southern border port of entry through a smartphone app, with few exceptions, would be barred from seeking asylum.
This rule, which would be in effect for two years, violates U.S. law and international obligations, which guarantee the legal right to seek asylum at or after crossing the border and would undermine respect for refugee protections globally.
We have until March 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET to urge the administration to withdraw these proposed regulations. The administration must consider and respond to each unique comment submitted on these measures. Let me not mince words — if this proposed rule is passed, it will be a shameful stain on the
U.S.' longstanding history of protecting those fleeing war and persecution.
This rule will deprive thousands of people with legitimate claims the ability to seek and obtain asylum in the U.S. People with valid asylum claims will be unfairly turned away and returned to dangerous situations. For the few who manage to secure temporary legal pathways to safety offered by the U.S., they will be left in legal limbo without a path to permanent residency or citizenship and will be ineligible for family reunification, meaning their spouses and children may be stranded in danger abroad.
Asylum seekers should not be punished and barred from seeking asylum for crossing borders to seek safety.
Persecutors are known to follow survivors after they try to escape and some people, especially women and LGBTQ+ individuals, may face threats to safety in a transit country, preventing safe harbor until arrival in the U.S.
Some of the most vulnerable asylum seekers will be most impacted by these regulations as they may not be able to use or access the smartphone app (which is available in only three languages) or wait weeks or months to snag one of the few appointments available because of the dangerous conditions at the border. This will result in the denial of most asylum seekers.
Compassionate IRC supporters like you have submitted thousands of unique comments in response to proposed anti–asylum regulations under the Trump administration. I know that you will make the effort to do the same today.
John, seeking asylum is not a crime. Please take action with me today to stand with asylum seekers.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Melinda Frimpong
Senior Officer, Advocacy & Influence
International Rescue Committee |
