U.S COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
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USCRI Calls on the Current Administration and Congress to Prioritize Asylum Rights Amidst Budgetary Negotiations

December 8, 2023

The White House has reportedly indicated its willingness to limit asylum rights in exchange for aid to support Ukraine. The suggested rollbacks of critical asylum protections, such as raising the credible fear standard, increasing immigration detention, and instituting asylum caps, under consideration would restrict access to protection for those fleeing violence and persecution.

USCRI unequivocally opposes any proposal that would compromise the capacity of the asylum system to offer protection for those fleeing persecution and seeking safety.

“The right to seek asylum reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to uphold the dignity and human rights of individuals facing persecution,” USCRI President and CEO Eskinder Negash said. “A budget is a value statement, and the Administration will show theirs as these negotiations continue.”

USCRI believes that the right to seek asylum is fundamental and urges the current Administration and Congress to prioritize asylum rights by rejecting current and future attempts to tie any funding package to anti-asylum proposals. Instead, USCRI calls on Congress and the Administration to work towards real solutions outside of the expedited timeframes inherent to continued funding negotiations.

 

USCRI, founded in 1911, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization committed to working on behalf of refugees and immigrants and their transition to a dignified life.

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