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Congresswoman Clarke Issues Statement on the End of Title 42
Senate Democrats: On a Title 42 Vote, Will You Stand for Welcoming Refugees or Will You Stand With Stephen Miller?
BY AMERICA’S VOICE
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Washington, DC: Upon news that Senate Republicans are seeking to force a vote on keeping Title 42 in place as part of a COVID funding package deal, the following is a statement from Vanessa Cárdenas, Deputy Director of America’s Voice. The stakes are high. The question is whether Senate Democrats are going to stand with Stephen Miller and Senate Republicans who want to end asylum as we know it, or stand for an America that can protect both its borders and its tradition as a welcoming nation? A Senate vote in support of extending Title 42 could come as early as this week. Title 42, a public health law enacted in 1944, was contorted by Stephen Miller in 2020 to deny people the opportunity to apply for refugee status under established law. It has been in existence for two years, and by all objective measures, it has been a failure. It turbocharged recidivism, inflated the number of “border encounters,” and prevented the use of consequence delivery mechanisms under existing law. It is long overdue for the Biden administration to take this step of unwinding the cynical use of Title 42. The administration has a solid plan to fully activate its operational capacity to deal both with those who are eligible for relief and those who are not. And let’s stop being small and fearful. We as a nation are strong enough and capable enough to manage upticks and downturns in forced migration at our southern border. Let’s be clear about Republican intentions: they want to scare Democrats into voting for a Title 42 extension that will effectively end asylum in America. In such a proposal, we expect conditions to be included in the legislation that will be impossible to meet. Unless Democrats stand up to this cynical Republican play, they will be standing with Stephen Miller and Republicans as they slam the doors shut on refugees – perhaps forever. Democrats have a choice. They can cower before an ugly rightwing disinformation campaign that falsely asserts America has “open borders” designed to “replace” Americans, or they can stand for the proposition that America can govern our borders with both order and justice. Stephen Miller recently stated, “I was deeply proud to work on implementing the hugely successful Title 42 policy.” Do Democrats really want to vote to continue his work? History is watching. l
Congresswoman Clarke Issues Statement on the End of Title 42
Washington, D.C.: Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it would end the Trump-era Title 42 policy: "As the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong advocate for their fair chance and access to the American dream, the Biden Administration’s decision to lift the harmful, malicious, and discriminatory policy that is Title 42 is a welcome blessing and one that I have long awaited. While this policy endured, countless hopeful migrants suffered under its authority as we circumvented our obligations under international and domestic law. This harmful policy disproportionately affected Black migrants and created life-threatening conditions for immigrants seeking refuge at our borders. Untold unaccompanied children, families, asylum seekers; none were spared the denial of due process entitled to them by law,” said Clarke. “Though it is difficult and perhaps impossible to undo this pain caused by Title 42, it is my hope that its end will signal the beginning of a national commitment to compassionately and safely welcome new Americans to our country. But let me be clear: our nation owes these communities, particularly the Haitian people who were disproportionately and vastly victimized under its cruelty, more than the apologies and empty words they are so tragically accustomed to. They deserve our promise for a better, more accepting, more loving future. And I intend to keep it."l
Rep Clarke Photo credit: Congresswoman Clarke’s Office Publisher I.Q. INC.
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Know Your Rights with ICE
If approached by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, you have rights! What can I do if ICE is at my door?
• You do not have to immediately open the door for ICE and you do not have to speak to ICE. • From behind the closed door, you may ask them who they are and to show their badge, ID or business card through the window or peephole or to pass it under the closed door. • You can ask if they have a judicial warrant:
If they say No, you do not have to let them in. You may say,
If they say Yes, you can ask them to slide it under the door. To know if it is a judicial warrant, look to see who signed the warrant. A judicial warrant is a warrant from a court, signed by a judge. For example, judge signatures may have “Honorable/Hon.” “Judge” “Justice” or “Magistrate” in front of them.
• In an emergency, such as a threat to public safety or a threat to someone’s life, ICE can come in without asking your permission. If this happens, you still do not have to speak to ICE. • If ICE is looking for someone, you do not need to speak. If you choose to speak, you can ask ICE to leave contact information. While you do not need to tell ICE where the person is located, providing false information puts you at risk.
What can I do if ICE is inside my home?
• If ICE enters your home without your permission, you can tell them clearly: “I do not consent to you being in my home. Please leave.” Saying this may not always stop them, but it may help any future legal case. • If ICE starts to search rooms or items in your home, you can tell them, “I do not consent to your search.” You can continue to repeat this if they continue to search without consent. • You can tell them if there are children or other vulnerable residents in your home.
What can I do if ICE stops me on the street or in public?
• Before you say anything, you can ask, “Am I free to go?”
If they say Yes: you can say,
“I don’t want to answer your questions”
If they say No: you can say,
If ICE agents try to search your pockets or belongings, you can say,
If they search you anyway, you cannot physically stop them, but clearly saying it may be important in any future legal case.
This fact sheet gives only general information. It is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice. English Call 855-768-8845 for an Immigration Consultation
