For immediate release: November 29, 2023
Media contact: Isabel López – [email protected]
We Are All America Strongly Opposes Efforts that Attack Asylum
Washington, D.C. – We, the coalition of refugees and immigrants leading the movement ‘We Are All America,‘ unequivocally urge Congress to reject any proposals that would undermine the right to seek refuge from persecution and torture. These proposals would have devastating consequences that would create increased vulnerabilities to exploitation, violate international and domestic law regarding due process and protections against arbitrary and prolonged detention, and cause serious harm to vulnerable individuals and families.
According to reports, members of Congress are trying to trade humanitarian assistance and funding for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel for anti-asylum policies that would ban those who transit through other countries en route to the United States or who enter the US outside a port of entry from seeking refuge in the country. These are both illegal and harmful moves that courts have struck down under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
In addition, the proposals seek to create near-impossible barriers to apply for asylum, raising the standard to pass a Credible Fear Interview when we know individuals facing CFIs are at their most vulnerable and rarely have access to counsel or adequate language support.
“The right to seek asylum as a bargaining tool in exchange for political gains is a disheartening approach that disregards the fundamental principles that made the United States a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge.” said Fatima Saidi, We Are All America Campaign Director. “Asylum is not a commodity to be traded away for other interests. It is a lifeline for those fleeing violence, persecution, and turmoil in their homelands. We must remember that our nation’s legal and ethical responsibilities should never be compromised for short-term political maneuvering. Upholding the values of humanity and empathy should always be our priority, and we must continue to advocate for the rights and safety of asylum seekers, no matter the political climate or external pressures.”
