Jayapal: Border deal would force many migrants unable to seek asylum ‘back to certain death’

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, criticized the long-awaited bipartisan border agreement announced late Sunday, saying the changes made to the asylum process “do too many.” “We will send people back to safe countries,” he said. Death, discrimination, and other harm. ”

“I’m still considering the text of this proposal, which is built on Republican hostage-taking and denial of aid funding to Ukraine, without brutality against immigrants. But it does not include closing the border. However, it is already clear that the new Title 42 contains poisonous provisions such as expulsion powers that turn asylum seekers away without due process, a boon for cartels that prey on immigrants.” he said in a statement.

“For immigrants who are able to seek asylum, they are subject to unrealistic standards and timelines for filing asylum claims, forcing too many to return to certain death, discrimination, and other harm. “This will happen,” Jayapal added. “This bill also restricts parole at land ports of entry, which only serves as a disincentive for people to come to ports to be processed in a safe and orderly manner.”

The border security deal is part of a larger supplemental funding package that includes aid for Israel, Ukraine and other foreign policy priorities, and is backed by Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Murphy. (D-Conn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.).

It includes provisions to raise standards for asylum screening and process applications more quickly. It will also end a practice known as “catch and release” and give new powers to close borders to most migrants if they meet set thresholds when crossing. However, these enhanced border emergency powers do not apply to unaccompanied children or migrants facing medical emergencies or imminent threats to their lives.

“Democrats have capitulated to these extremist views time and time again over the past 30 years. They have refused to structurally reform the Senate needed to pass real reform, allowed MAGA Republicans to lie to the American people, and stood up and denied immigration.” By refusing to protect our communities, President Biden and Senate Democrats appear to have fallen into the same trap again.” Jayapal said.

“I will continue to scrutinize the document released today, but I cannot support proposals that do not learn from 30 years of data and only repeat the mistakes of targeting migrant lives,” she added.

Additionally, the measure aims to make it easier for immigrants to obtain work permits and eliminate backlogs in immigration courts.

But Jayapal made it clear that these concessions are not enough.

“The Senate will try to sell this so-called deal by pointing to additional green cards and amendments for smaller groups of immigrants. But let’s be clear: We are closing the asylum system. “Tweaking visas at the cost of further harming vulnerable people seeking refuge in the United States is not serious reform, but rather throws immigrants under the political bus again.” Jayapal wrote.

“There is no question that significant changes are needed to our immigration system. Modernization to increase legal recourse for immigrants is long overdue, but this proposal requires thoughtful reforms to make that happen and to recognize the contributions that immigrants make to our economies and communities. It does not include thoughtful reforms to actually address the border situation in a humane way that recognizes it.”