Global Refuge responds to President Biden statement on immigration negotiations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2023

Contact: Tim Young | timothy.young@globalrefuge.org

Baltimore, MD – Global Refuge is deeply troubled by President Biden’s statement on bipartisan senate negotiations concerning immigration policy, touting “a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law.”

In response to President Biden’s statement, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge, said:

“There is an urgent need for legitimate debate about modernizing our immigration system, because the status quo is not sustainable. While bipartisanship requires compromise, Title 42 expulsions by another name would be devastating to families seeking safety, just as it would be to our nation’s reputation as a global humanitarian leader. It would be deeply misguided to revive an expulsion policy that contributed to more disorder and repeat crossings at the southern border.”

“Policy makers should instead focus on managing migration humanely and efficiently in order to align our immigration system with our humanitarian values and economic needs. Meaningful solutions to this challenge lie in stronger federal coordination, expedited access to work permits, and robust investments in processing capacity, immigration courts, and community-based support programs. We’ve proposed real solutions like a national case management system to stop the disorder that some politicians are seeking to exploit.”

“Regardless of their nationality, people seeking safety deserve to be treated humanely, have their cases adjudicated in a timely manner, and be positioned to quickly become contributors to their new communities. Congress has a rare opportunity to finally reform the system and the President has signaled his support for this action. We cannot lose this moment.”