U.S Senators Must Stand Against Republicans’ “Trumpian” Push to End Asylum

WASHINGTON – As a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators continue negotiations on President Biden’s supplemental funding request this week, immigration groups and progressive organizations are continuing to urge lawmakers to safeguard critical asylum protections. Senate Republicans are holding Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan funding hostage by demanding extreme lasting changes on immigration policy on the supplemental funding bill, including poison pills that would gut the asylum system and create chaos at the border.

According to reports, the deal in discussion would implement an asylum ban, create near impossible barriers to apply for asylum, and undermine humanitarian and other forms of parole. These permanent changes to asylum would have devastating consequences at the border and across neighboring countries, jeopardizing security measures, exacerbating border resources, and vulnerable individuals and families seeking safety.

“This month, former President Trump promised, if re-elected, that he would once again set our immigration system on fire by implementing cruel tactics at our border and within our country to rid America of immigrants. Senate Republicans are doing his bidding by holding Ukraine aid hostage in exchange for unacceptable, ineffective and cruel asylum proposals. These proposals do nothing to secure our border or live up to the will of the American electorate to see both humane, orderly processes at the border and paths to legal status for long-settled immigrants in the U.S. No Democrat should accept these ransom demands that would harm immigrants,” said Immigration Hub Executive Director Kerri Talbot.

As former President Donald Trump unabashedly declares his intentions for a vile assault on immigration in 2025, including sweeping raids and mass detention camps, lawmakers should reaffirm their commitment to immigrants and refuse toxic attempts to gamify their lives for political gain.

Background: As reported by POLITICO, immigration groups are urging Congress to prioritize bipartisan solutions that make the existing process work better while keeping communities safe. The solutions include: investing in frontline efforts to process migrants, providing resources to cities and communities welcoming them, and safeguarding access to asylum and ensuring the humane treatment of those applying.

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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.