(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/12/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the White House to implement a more compassionate and lawful asylum process that upholds President Biden’s campaign promise of reversing the anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration aimed at subverting U.S. asylum law and international accords.
SEE: Politico: Playbook: Biden blasted over border blunder
SEE: ABC News: Title 42 expires, is Joe Biden doing what he condemned Donald Trump for?
Despite making campaign promises to overturn inhumane policies and stop forced deportations that violate due process, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on May 10 that the Biden administration has decided to replace the controversial, Trump-era Title 42 pandemic policy with one that effectively limits or disqualifies individuals from seeking asylum.
The new policy funnels all asylum seekers at the U.S. border through the flawed and obstructive CBP One process, causing limited access and unreasonable delays. As a result, many individuals will remain in vulnerable and dangerous situations. For those that attempt to use other means to request asylum at the border, the new rule would effectively disqualify migrants from being eligible for asylum if they did not first attempt to seek refuge in countries they passed through on their way to the border.
Another punitive rule would require immigrants seeking asylum to schedule an appointment at ports of entry through CBP One, the app provided by CBP. Failure to do so and entering the U.S. border without proper documentation or outside a designated port of entry could result in deportation and a prohibition on re-entry for a period of five years.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert McCaw said:
“We call on the Biden administration to fulfill its promise to reverse the previous administration’s cruel and inhumane policies towards asylum seekers. We urge the White House to implement a more compassionate and lawful asylum process that provides fair and timely access to those immigrants seeking refuge in the United States.
“By replacing the Title 42 pandemic policy with the flawed and obstructive CBP One process, the Biden administration is limiting access to asylum in the United States and putting countless vulnerable individuals at risk. Our nation must not betray its moral responsibility to protect asylum seeking immigrants fleeing persecution.
“We call on the White House and CBP to reconsider this unjust policy toward asylum seekers and to uphold our nation’s laws to accept asylum seeker petitions without burdensome or punitive restrictions.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]