FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sandra Benavente
Advocacy Manager
[email protected]
Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2024) – Ayuda strongly condemns the Biden administration’s decision to extend and expand its asylum ban at the U.S.-Mexico border. This policy, which mirrors previous restrictive measures, further undermines the legal rights of individuals seeking refuge from violence and persecution. By making access to asylum contingent on appointments through limited channels like the CBP One app, this rule severely limits asylum opportunities, particularly for vulnerable populations, including women, children, and those with limited resources.
As an organization dedicated to supporting immigrant communities, Ayuda believes this policy not only contradicts the values of compassion and fairness but also puts lives at risk. Asylum seekers, who are often fleeing life-threatening situations, deserve a humane and accessible process.
While we urge the administration to reconsider this harmful approach, we agree with National Immigration Law Center’s (NILC) recommendations to mitigate the harm caused by these Rules, including:
- Increase the number of CBP One appointments offered across all ports of entry;
- Ensure that individuals without CBP One appointments are able to approach the ports of entry and present themselves in situations where humanitarian concerns are weighty; and
- Stop the practice of forcing people through expedited removal processing (including Credible Fear Interviews) in CBP custody. As long as this practice persists, provide lawyers physical access to CBP facilities.
We call on the administration to adopt these recommendations and restore the right to asylum in accordance with international law and U.S. obligations. We will continue to advocate for policies that respect human rights and provide safe pathways for those in need of protection.
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About Ayuda:
Ayuda provides direct legal, social, and language access services to low-income immigrants in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Since 1973, Ayuda has served more than 150,000 immigrants throughout the region. Ayuda is the only nonprofit service provider in the area that provides a wide range of immigration and family law assistance, social services, and language access support for all immigrants – including women, men, and children – from anywhere in the world. Visit www.ayuda.com to learn more.