FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2021
PRESS CONTACT
Spencer Tilger
media@refugeerights.org
(646) 761-2556
IRAP CELEBRATES COURT ORDER BLOCKING EXPULSIONS OF MIGRANT FAMILIES, CALLS ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO END ITS TITLE 42 POLICY
(New York, NY) – Yesterday, a United States federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the expulsion of migrant families from U.S. borders under Title 42. In place since March 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rule has denied migrant families access to the U.S. asylum system under specious public health grounds opposed by leading health experts. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) has repeatedly called on the Biden administration to end Title 42 expulsions and filed an amicus brief in the case opposing the policy and arguing for an immediate injunction.
IRAP Litigation Staff Attorney Kathryn Austin responded to the court’s decision:
“IRAP welcomes this life-saving injunction, which will allow migrant families to access their rights to seek protection through the U.S. asylum system. The Title 42 policy was never about protecting public health, but was instead an illegal and xenophobic attack on migrant rights. For too long, the Biden administration has failed to fulfill its pledge to restore a just and humane immigration system by revoking the Title 42 policy and other illegal barriers to asylum. In light of the court’s recognition of the harm caused by Title 42 expulsions, IRAP calls on the Biden administration to immediately rescind the policy and ensure full access to humanitarian protections for those fleeing violence and persecution.”
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