Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) welcomes the recent decision made by U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar to strike down the asylum restrictions imposed by the Biden administration. We concur with his opinion that the rules are unlawful.
The Biden administration’s immigration policies introduced in May effectively prohibit most individuals seeking safety at the southern border from accessing asylum. Our country's laws provide that asylum-seekers can come to the United States and seek refuge, regardless of how they enter the country.
“Any policy that forces refugees to wait in dangerous conditions and prohibits them from seeking asylum, in violation of U.S. and international law, should be recognized as a failed policy,” says Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. “Curtailing access to asylum is inhumane and akin to locking our doors to people fleeing life or death situations. We celebrate the court’s decision and believe it upholds our nation’s legacy of welcome,” says Peck.
Concerns with the immigration policies include the reliance on the CBP One app as the main means of securing an appointment, leaving many asylum-seekers stranded in perilous conditions in northern Mexico while attempting to access the asylum process. Furthermore, the policies deny protection to anyone who passes through another country on their way to the United States without seeking asylum, essentially closing the door on people fleeing countries other than Mexico. Requiring individuals to seek protection in these countries before applying in the United States is contrary to international refugee law.
LSSNCA commends The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of the District of Columbia, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and National Immigrant Justice Center for pursuing legal action against this ruling. This decision represents a significant step towards an immigration system that values the safety and well-being of asylum-seekers.
LSSNCA urges the Biden administration to safeguard the path to protection and reaffirm our nation's values as a beacon of freedom and hope. We remain committed to providing our support and services to all persons forced to flee, regardless of their immigration pathway, and look forward to a future where asylum-seekers can find safety and hope within our borders.
