FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 1, 2022
Press Contact: Jessica Ortiz, [email protected]

“For two years, Title 42 has blocked more than 1.7 million migrants from seeking safety at our border under the guise of public health. But Title 42 was never about public health and it needs to end right now.”

Dallas, TX — In response to the news that the Biden Administration plans to phase out the use of Title 42 by May 23, Tami Goodlette, Director of Litigation at RAICES, issued the following statement:

“While we are relieved that the Centers for Disease Control will not be renewing Title 42, the administration’s plan to phase out the policy is simply not enough. President Biden promised to restore our asylum system and should have ended Title 42 the day he took office. The administration has had more than 14 months to plan for the end of Title 42. Implementing a wind down instead of ending the policy outright and immediately will put asylum seekers, especially those who identify as Black and LGBTQIA(+), at continued risk. The rape, torture, and kidnapping of those expelled under Title 42 is well-documented and rampant, and with the CDC’s announcement, it will continue for two more months. That is unacceptable.

“People fleeing danger in their home countries have the legal right to seek safety and protection in the United States. To protect that right, the administration must do two things. It must immediately end Title 42 and all expulsions so that not one more person is subjected to the deadly and terrifying conditions created by this cruel and racist Trump-era policy. And it must also immediately restore the asylum process without expanding the country’s mass incarceration and deportation machine.

“For two years and under two administrations, the government has used Title 42 to block more than 1.7 million migrants from seeking safety at our border under the guise of public health. But Title 42 was never about public health and it needs to end right now.”

“When it comes to immigration, President Biden is not just carrying out the toxic, white supremacist legacy of the Trump era, but unbelievably in some instances he has doubled down. His priority has been not to defend our communities and welcome immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, but rather deter as many people from entering the United States as possible.

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The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. Learn more at raicestexas.org.

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