27 APRIL 2022
National Immigration Leaders Urge Democrats to Remain Unified Against Title 42; Highlight Dangerous GOP Tactics to Maintain Trump Policy
DWASHINGTON, DC – As DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to testify before Congress today, national immigration experts held a press briefing to discuss the latest developments on the termination of Title 42 and the Biden-Harris administration’s plans to continue implementing measures to manage the border and migration. This comes one day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a detailed path forward to process asylum seekers and refugees, strengthen the border infrastructure and mitigate any increase in migration. The rollout of this plan comes on the heels of recent political attacks by Republican members of Congress and state elected officials in an effort to maintain the Trump-era policy and dismantle America’s asylum system through the courts and legislation.
“We are here to make clear that Democrats have a choice before them where they can either stand with a Stephen Miller policy that essentially shut down our asylum system, a policy that is an affront to not only immigrant communities, but our values. Or they can actually read what is in the President's plan and work with the administration to ensure that the administration is set up for success,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director, Immigration Hub. “These challenges are not easy, but we also should not be afraid of migration or immigration. Republicans like Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and Greg Abbott are doing their best to scare voters by stirring up racial resentment and xenophobia. This is not what is in the best interest of our country. This divides us, not unites us.”
“The administration does have a holistic border strategy that deals with the push factors that force people to leave their homes. And that is an area where I think there’s definitely the potential to see lasting results,” said Tyler Moran, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Migration. “We know that walls don’t work and deterrence only policies don't work. There’s been a spike in migration during every presidency over the last 30 years, including after Trump separated 5,000 children from their parents and put in place the most unwelcoming and cruel immigration system in history. So it’s time for a new approach.”
“The multiracial majority that elected this President and Congress wants progress on turning the page on the Trump/Miller anti-immigrant and anti-Latino agenda. Democrats need these voters again, but they need to lean in and communicate their solutions with intensity and aplomb, rather than follow the lead of those sacrificing solutions for the sake of photo-ops and political points. We applaud the CHC for leaning in and exercising their leadership to lift up issues important to Latinos and to the majority of their fellow Americans, in the pursuit of real solutions to this issue, including addressing the status of those who helped our country survive the pandemic, TPS, and effective and humane border management,” said Clarissa Martinez De Castro, UnidosUS Deputy Vice President.
"In El Paso, we have the historical knowledge and expertise to inform our ability to rise to this occasion and welcome asylum seekers with dignity. The US has already begun regaining footing with the rest of the world, safely welcoming and processing 75,000 afghans fleeing the Taliban, welcoming Ukrainians fleeing Putin's war. This country is ready to do more and engage in the necessary restorative work to repair our asylum laws and make asylum accessible to all," said Linda Corchado, Interim Executive Director at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center.
“Title 42 increases recidivism and actually incentivizes it while the DHS plan reduces recidivism, the link between Title 42 and increased repeat crossing has been repeatedly acknowledged by data,” said Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director, The Immigration Hub. “Our borders have never been more secure. There’s more we can do and the administration is doing those things. But already detection effectiveness at the border is at 97%. So the border is closed. It is being managed and it will be orderly. Other than draconian legislative approaches, Democrats should lean into their own vision of border security that includes comprehensive immigration reform, including legalization and border security that’s both just and orderly.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.