Statement from Congresswoman Torres on Biden Administration's Executive Order Announcement Limiting Asylum
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Executive Board released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s Executive Order announcing implementation measures to regulate the number of individuals permitted to seek asylum at the border.
“Congress has been advocating for the allocation of funding to hire more critical personnel at the border. According to international law, asylum seekers are entitled to due process. It is imperative that we advocate for adherence to established humanitarian procedures for the repatriation of these individuals under the Biden administration. In doing so, we aim to facilitate secure homecoming processes. Our stance is not one of outright denial, but rather a call for adherence to due process.”
“I strongly support the changes to expedite the process of deporting or removing individuals at the border who pose a national security risk or public threat. However, I have significant concerns about implementation, transparency, and the risk of curtailing fair, legal representation for legitimate asylum seekers.”
“If rushed and without proper protections, these changes could embolden future anti-immigrant Administrations to limit legitimate, eligible asylum seekers from obtaining the protections they seek.”
“This Executive Order is a difficult but necessary measure to address the growing crisis at our border, but deeply underscores the urgent need to resolve the root causes of migration throughout Central America. I look forward to working closely with the Administration on the implementation of these changes to ensure we stem the crisis at the border while ensuring asylees are processed expeditiously and fairly.”
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