García, Barragán, Ramirez, Grijalva Call for Rescission of New Asylum Interim Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nannette Barragán (CA-44), Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), and Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), joined by 15 colleagues, sent a letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and USCIS Director Ur Jaddou, expressing serious concerns about recent decisions by the Biden administration that would significantly limit access and the right to seek asylum at the U.S. southern border.
On June 4, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) related to the previous day’s Presidential Proclamation. In the letter, Members express that the IFR “mirrors an earlier asylum ban issued by the Trump administration” and “directly contradicts [Congressional] statute.” They also express concern that the IFR mandates use of the CBP One mobile application to seek an interview appointment, which presents literacy, language, and technology barriers to some asylum seekers, and makes the standard so onerous and the rules so restrictive that the overwhelming majority of migrants seeking asylum would no longer be able to do so.
The letter cites a report by faith and non-profit organizations providing shelter for migrants who have been deported or who are in transit to the U.S., that found that in the first six weeks since the asylum ban rule was implemented, at least 457 people arrived at a shelter after being deported from the United States. Most reported they were deported without being given a chance to ask for asylum.
The Members conclude by emphasizing that the IFR does not comply with“existing U.S. law or international treaty obligations, contravenes Congressional intent and imposes cruel and inhumane barriers to individuals seeking protection,” and urge the Biden administration to rescind the IFR in its entirety.
This letter was sent by Reps. Chuy García, Delia Ramirez, and Raúl Grijalva after submitting a comment opposing June 4th Interim Final Rule, Docket No. USCIS-2024-0006 to the Federal Registrar.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
Co-signers of the letter include: Cori Bush (MO-01), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Lou Correa (CA-46), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), James McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12),Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07)
This letter is endorsed by: Instituto del Progreso Latino, Western Illinois Dreamers, IL Migrant Council, Chinese American Service League, PASO - West Suburban Action Project, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, National Immigrant Justice Center, Southern Border Communities Coalition, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Latino Policy Forum, Metropolitan Family Services, Kino Border Initiative, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, International Refugee Assistance Project , Women’s Refugee Commission.
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