Migrant Rights News and Action. Push the Senate to pass the No Ban Act!
Biden Year One & Advocacy in 2022
Reflecting on Biden’s first year anniversary in office, we see a mixed record and many empty promises for delivering much needed relief for migrant communities. We had been encouraged when right out of the gates the administration started strong — issuing several executive orders to reverse many of the worst policy measures enacted under the former administration. However, progress stalled early on and during the remainder of the year Biden’s actions offered piecemeal changes at best, and these only after immigrant rights advocates engaged in round-the-clock advocacy. Worse still, Biden’s stance on many immigration and border policies remains a deep concern.
Clearly this administration does not intend to take bold action for migrant rights, nor does it seem bound by any moral (or legal) compass on deportations and expulsions.
The graphic above, produced by the We Are Home campaign, sums up some of the most concerning issues. NNIRR is working with partners to address:
- Record deportations, including thousands of Haitians to a country the US State Department has deemed unstable and unsafe for its own citizens.
- Biden’s refusal to repair the harms done by the Family Separation policy under the prior administration, and in fact defending the Trump era policy in court.
- The expansion of Migration Protection Protocols and the continuation of Title 42 that are expelling migrants at the border and closing off of nearly all avenues to request asylum, violating federal and international refugee law.
- The continued indefinite incarceration of migrants, and use of for-profit detention centers.
- The uncertain future of DACA and lack of protections for migrant youth.
- The immediate need for a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for several countries in crisis including: Mauritania, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and re-designation for Nepal and Honduras, and extensions/expansions for Haiti, El Salvador and Guatemala.
- Continued violations of human rights at the US-Mexico border and the impunity of ICE and Border Patrol.
There will be many opportunities for members to engage in advocacy and action throughout the year on these and other critical human rights issues. Keep an eye out for regular updates and calls to action.
Sign the petition!
This week marks the 5-year anniversary of the first racist Muslim Ban. While Biden repealed the Muslim Ban as one of his executive orders last year, we are calling on the US Senate to pass the No Ban Act.
“A stain on our national conscience” is how President Biden has described the Trump administration’s Muslim ban. Yet within the same year of revoking his predecessor’s executive order banning travel from Muslim majority countries, President Biden implemented a travel ban of his own – barring travel from Southern African countries.
Unless this act is passed, sitting Presidents can utilize executive power to enact such racist travel restrictions. Congress can curb this power by passing the No Ban Act. Make your voice heard!
Missing in Brooks County
Film Premier January 31st on PBS stations
Don’t miss the premier of this important documentary.
The film brings to light the humanitarian crisis of border deaths and features the incredible work of NNIRR Board Chair, Eduardo Canales, Director of the South Texas Human Rights Center, to prevent migrant deaths, and bring closure to families who have lost loved ones in the desert borderlands.
Migrants go missing in rural South Texas more than anywhere else in the U.S. For many families whose loved ones have disappeared after crossing the Mexico border, activist detective Eddie Canales is their last hope. Unlock the mysteries and confront the agonizing facts of life and death in Brooks County, 80 miles north of the border.
Join the pre-broadcast discussion on facebook on Monday, January 31 at 5 pm PST. You can find out more and join here.
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Your contributions support NNIRR to:
- advocate for immigration policy that centers human rights
- lift up grassroots leadership, organizing and advocacy
- spotlight border human rights organizing at the US-Mexico border
- advocate for international migrant rights & human rights at borders
- organize at the intersections, including climate justice and migrant rights
