Ahead of their consideration of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, AHRC joins the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) and over 200 other organizations to urge the United States Senate to vote no on any amendment that would undermine the rights of people seeking asylum and jeopardize the passage of this crucial bill.
CGRS notes: "We anticipate that anti-immigrant lawmakers will propose amendments that would codify and indefinitely extend the Title 42 expulsion policy, escalate draconian immigration enforcement measures, and block immigrant families from critical health and economic supports. We implore Senators to reject these cynical attempts to advance an anti-immigrant agenda and score political points ahead of the midterm elections, which could become a “poison pill” and derail the bill entirely."
“We are counting on our leaders to stand strong in their values and oppose any amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that would harm people seeking asylum and immigrants,” CGRS Director of Policy & Advocacy Kate Jastram said today. “Enshrining the Title 42 policy in law would fly in the face of Congress’ longstanding commitment to welcome refugees and violate U.S. treaty obligations to protect people fleeing persecution. It would have deadly consequences for families, children, and adults seeking safety. That Congress would even consider such a radical and dangerous proposal is outrageous. We urge Senators to vote no.”
LETTER: FROM : AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION TO: U.S. Senators
August 02, 2022 Re Do Not abuse Asylum Seekers through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Dear Senator:
PLEASE VOTE NO on any amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that would harm immigrant communities and be a “poison pill” that could derail this important legislation. This bill works to reduce the deficit, fight inflation, invest in both energy and the environment, and lower health care costs for working Americans. Senators should focus on delivering this relief rather than advancing an anti-immigrant agenda.
We ask you to oppose anti-immigrant amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act, including amendments that would:
■End Asylum at the Border. Amendments seeking to end asylum by codifying and indefinitely extending the Title 42 expulsions policy would violate a Democratic commitment to providing a fair asylum system. Amendments that make Title 42’s rescission contingent on the termination of the COVID-19 emergency declaration will have widespread public health and safety ramifications. Such amendments would also violate our commitment to stand with asylum seekers, immigrants, and communities of color disparately impacted by immigration law.
■ Harm Immigrants’ Health, Economic Well-Being, or Education. Precluding otherwise eligible families from accessing critical health programs, using economic supports, or pursuing their educational and employment goals undermines the health care goals of the bill and would harm entire communities and the broader economy. This includes applying any double standards to immigrants during the pandemic when it comes to vaccination requirements or access to public health measures.
■ Further Bloat Enforcement or Militarize the Border. Deterrence-based enforcement and continued surveillance and abuse, both at the border and throughout the interior, should not and cannot be inserted into this bill.
PLEASE vote in ways that protect immigrants and VOTE NO against any anti-immigrant amendments presented for this bill. Adopting anti-immigrant amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act will likely bring forth challenges to the passage of this important legislation.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Kind regards,
MELANIE NATHAN, Executive Director, African Human Rights Coalition
