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Statement

Reinstatement of Title 42 Violates Human Rights and Must Not Stand

December 7, 2021
Immigration

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Donna Norton, Executive Vice President of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the Biden administration decision to extend the use of Title 42 to continue expelling asylum-seekers, forcing them to wait for months or years in Mexico for asylum hearings:

“It is deeply disappointing that the Biden administration has extended the use of Title 42. Coming at the same time the administration is re-implementing the ‘Remain in Mexico’ protocols, this will force even more immigrants to wait for long periods of time in unsafe, life-threatening conditions, at risk from smugglers and drug cartels, in Mexico for their asylum hearings. This combination of dangerous, unethical policies will make it practically impossible for people seeking asylum to get protection at our southern border.

“Title 42 is a provision of health law that the Trump administration mis-used to deny immigrants the opportunity to seek safety in the United States. This Trump-era scapegoating policy puts asylum-seekers’ lives at risk. Using it to validate deportations is as indefensible now as it was when the Trump administration did so.

“Countless health experts have said there is no scientific basis for this policy. Instead, public health measures such as testing, quarantining and vaccination can effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19. We urge Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration to end the use of Title 42, and work to deliver a fair immigration process that respects the human rights of all children and families. Families belong together. Every asylum-seeker should be treated fairly and with dignity 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.