FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 7, 2022 Press Contact: Jessica Ortiz, [email protected]
“These politicians are using Title 42 to stoke fear and xenophobia and are turning their backs on the law and human rights for their own political gain.”
TEXAS – In response to Governor Abbott’s and Senators Sinema and Lankford’s xenophobic responses to the end of Title 42, Tami Goodlette, Director of Litigation at RAICES, released the following statement:
“The dehumanizing rhetoric and racist policy proposals in response to the end of Title 42 coming from both Governor Abbott and Senators Sinema and Lankford, among others, are cruel, immoral, and will put the lives of thousands of immigrants and refugees at continued risk. These politicians are using Title 42 to stoke fear and xenophobia and are turning their backs on the law and human rights for their own political gain.
“Title 42 was never been about public health, but rather is shrouded in racism, as doctors and public health experts have made clear that immigration is not a source of pandemic spread. The responses from politicians like Abbott, Sinema, and Lankford are not about the facts that we know about the pandemic, but rather blatant racism to prevent Black and brown people from seeking safety in the US. We can never forget that white supremacist Stephen Miller was the mastermind of Title 42, and now these politicians are defending his toxic legacy.
“Title 42 illegally gutted the asylum system by turning away migrants and denying their chance to rightfully seek asylum, and exposed vulnerable migrants to danger including physical violence, rape, and exploitation. With the end of Title 42, communities and organizations at the border and across the country are ready to work with the Biden administration to restore our asylum system and welcome people seeking safety with dignity and open arms. Repealing Title 42 is not a question of public health or resources, it is simply the right and moral thing to do.”
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