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Statement

Migrant Deaths in San Antonio Are a Painful Reminder that U.S. Asylum Policies Are Failing

June 28, 2022
Immigration

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Claudia Tristán, Immigration Campaign Director at MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the deaths of 51 migrants in San Antonio and hospitalization of several others:

“The deaths in San Antonio Monday were tragic, heartbreaking, and also completely avoidable. They follow the tragic deaths of 11 Haitian asylum-seekers at sea, and many other lives lost that have not been reported in the news. These deaths result from cruel, failed policies the Trump administration created – Remain in Mexico and Title 42, in particular – that remain in place because of Republican-led lawsuits. 

“Seeking asylum is legal under U.S. law and a fundamental human right. It’s past time we end the cruel, immoral policies that force desperate asylum-seekers to risk their lives, and instead craft new policies that recognize that asylum-seekers, many of whom are moms and children, make the journey to the United States because they are desperate for safety and a better life. 

“Our current border policies do nothing to protect the lives of those vulnerable mothers and children, and instead intensify their suffering. We urgently need a humane, fair asylum process that allows people to seek protection safely. America’s moms want every immigrant and every asylum-seeker to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.