Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts have agreed it is possible to safely process refugees and people seeking protection at our borders amidst the pandemic by observing basic public health safeguards. And yet, the Biden Administration has chosen to double down on a Trump policy based on racism and with no public health justification to turn away people in need of protection.

The U.S. government continues to block access to people seeking asylum at the border using a Trump administration order to evade U.S. refugee laws, despite CDC and public health experts stating there is no justification for its use. As a result, the U.S. government has carried out nearly one million expulsions under the Title 42 public health authority - sending people back to danger.

Petition

We demand a complete end to the use of Title 42 expulsions of people seeking protection. We call on the Biden administration to remove all barriers to protection, restore access to asylum, and #WelcomeWithDignity families and adults fleeing for their lives. The Biden administration and U.S. Congress must commit to uphold asylum laws for those fleeing violence and build a robust reception system that includes welcome hubs at the border and funding for humanitarian case management infrastructure.

We must build a more just and truly humane asylum system and reject the xenophobia and racism that motivated the cruel and dangerous policies of the past by taking the following actions immediately:  

• End Title 42 expulsions completely, restore access to asylum.

• End the return of refugees to danger and family separation.

• Establish community-run, welcoming hubs at the border for arriving families and adults, not CBP cages or detention.

• Develop a humanitarian reception system that includes case management infrastructure.

• Provide legal representation, case support, work authorization, and a fair, timely process for people seeking asylum.