New York, NY—Today, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas announced a new asylum ban that will be implemented once Title 42 expires on Thursday, May 11 at 11:59 PM EST. The policy will block asylum applications from asylum seekers who travel through third countries en route to the United States without applying for asylum in one of those countries. The New York Immigration Coalition denounces this new xenophobic policy, which will directly endanger the lives of people seeking asylum in the United States, and demands President Biden reform our asylum system so it is efficient and humane.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“The Biden Administration’s asylum ban is a chilling reminder of the Trump administration’s continuing influence on our border policies and the body politic. The asylum ban will directly endanger and threaten people’s lives, and violates the international humanitarian obligations of the United States. This, along with fast-tracked deportations, increasing removal flights, and more and more resources towards enforcement, will continue to put vulnerable people in harm’s way while failing to recognize the basic humanity of people in need of safety. Rather than succumbing to fear mongering about asylum seekers, President Biden must fulfill his promise to protect immigrants by reforming our entire immigration system so that it is humane, efficient, and actually protects people seeking safety in our country.”