Answer the Call to Love Your Neighbor, Fight Anti-Asylum Legislation
Recently the Biden administration announced they were ending the use of Title 42 to expel asylum seekers from the border. Since the start of the pandemic Title 42 has been used unjustly to expel individuals seeking asylum and the announcement to end Title 42 is welcome and long overdue. Alarmingly, in response to that announcement a new anti-asylum measure has been introduced in Congress called the Public Health and Border Security Act. This legislation would make it nearly impossible to rescind Title 42; and requires that asylum seekers continue to be expelled at the border. The implementation of Title 42 has resulted in harm, violence, and multiple fatalities to already vulnerable populations and its ongoing use is cruel and dangerous.
As people of faith we know the call to love our neighbor extends beyond political or geographical boundaries. Our United Church of Christ General Synod has passed multiple resolutions committing us to be an immigrant welcoming denomination, and we continue to show up in a myriad of ways to live out that call.
Please join with us in urging Congress to reject the Public Health and Border Security Act, and any other anti-asylum legislation. Congress must instead commit to restoring and revitalizing our asylum system to ensure that each person is greeted with dignity and humanity. Please also ask your member of congress to urge the Biden administration to uphold its commitment to ending Title 42 by May 23 and work closely with groups and communities who stand ready to welcome them.