President Joe Biden doubles down on xenophobic policy Title 42, threatening those seeking refuge
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday January 11, 2022
CONTACT: Jose Servin, Jose@sirenimmigrantrights.org (714) 728-2520
President Joe Biden doubles down on xenophobic policy Title 42, threatening those seeking refuge, and ignores necessary Executive Action to undo years of harm to an already broken immigration system
Immigrants and refugees at the border seeking asylum will have a harder time receiving relief with roll out of digital surveillance tools and buffer systems denying legal right to asylum to some
California — President Biden announced at a press briefing on January 5 changes to immigration policy that would expand the digital surveillance of migrants through a phone application, and restrictions that would make seeking asylum even more difficult for migrants from countries experiencing instability. Let’s be clear: this is not a solution, but rather a divisive, discriminatory and dangerous response that appeases xenophobic ideology. In his remarks, President Biden acknowledges that we have a ‘patchwork’ immigration system that does not work, but rather than honoring campaign trail commitments to fix the immigration system, he has only exacerbated the pain, trauma, and division that was crafted by the Trump administration to punish immigrants for needing help.
“For the past two presidential administrations, immigrant communities have faced an onslaught of attacks, thinly and falsely veiled as solutions. Democrats and President Biden know what our communities need – they promise to take the necessary steps each campaign cycle. But when the opportunity arises, they fail to rise to the challenge to the dismay of everyone who understands that every day, migrant communities are forced to suffer because xenophobia runs rampantly unchecked in the white house. President Biden needs to step up and offer a real solution, because right now, what we’re hearing is unacceptable,” said Maricela Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN).
At SIREN, we provide free legal services related to immigration, refugee, and asylum cases to protect our community from detention and deportation. We also engage in policy advocacy, community organizing and civic engagement. Every year, we assisted thousands of clients with affirmative and defensive legal services, including DACA renewals and citizenship applications.
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