The administration has co-signed a right-wing agenda that promotes fear and demonizes migrants

For Immediate Release: 
Friday, January 6, 2023

Washington, DC – Yesterday, President Biden announced several new restrictive immigration policies that further undermine the asylum process, expand inhumane Title 42 expulsions, and increase the use of expedited removal. In response, Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network, issued the following statement:

“Biden’s new immigration enforcement policies continue a failed decades-long deterrence strategy and are a page from the same xenophobic, anti-immigrant playbook as the previous administration. These policies will cause immeasurable harm for people seeking safety in the United States. President Biden is setting a dangerous precedent for the remainder of his presidential term – completely disregarding promises made to immigrant communities and shamefully doubling down on the cruel policies of the previous administration. Let me be clear: this administration has co-signed a right-wing agenda that promotes fear and demonizes migrants. 

From the moment the Trump administration implemented Title 42, the racist underpinnings driving it were clear: use the pandemic to deny Black and brown migrants the right to seek safety and protection in the United States. The Biden administration’s continuation and now expansion of the policy is shameful, inhumane, and will put thousands of people in danger. 

It’s long past time for the Biden administration to fully restore access to asylum at our borders and ports of entry without the use of immigration detention, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) ‘alternatives to detention.’ 

The right to move and live freely, without fear of being separated from loved ones or displaced from one’s home is a human right. Biden must change course immediately to advance an agenda of humanity and dignity, the values he has touted, yet failed to act upon.”

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Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to expose and challenge the injustices of the United States’ immigration detention and deportation system and advocate for profound change that promotes the rights and dignity of all persons. Founded in 1997 by immigrant rights groups, DWN brings together advocates to unify strategy and build partnerships on a local and national level to end immigration detention. Visit detentionwatchnetwork.org. Follow on Twitter @DetentionWatch.