Washington, DC – On November 15, US District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled to end Title 42, finding that its usage has been “arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.” At the request of the administration, Judge Sullivan issued a temporary stay, with Title 42 now set to end at midnight on December 21st.
Title 42, initiated by former-President Trump in 2020, wrongfully and unlawfully used the pandemic as a pretext to block immigrants and asylum seekers from crossing the southern border. Over the last two years, millions of people seeking safety have been denied the opportunity to seek protection and have been returned to dangerous conditions in Mexico or their home countries.
“Advocates, faith leaders, and public health experts, including US government officials, have pointed to the life-threatening harms caused by Title 42 expulsions and the increasingly inexcusable reasoning that has kept the policy in place,” said RCUSA Executive Director John Slocum. “We ask that the administration comply with this ruling and allow the policy to lapse, that DHS’s new policies restore access to asylum, and that members of Congress reject any attempt to codify Title 42.
While Title 42 was first instituted under President Trump, the Biden administration has not only upheld the program, but recently expanded its application to include vulnerable Venezuelans. RCUSA has repeatedly called for a full restoration of asylum protections and remains steadfast in our core belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
Media Contact: Sarah Seniuk, sseniuk@rcusa.org
RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.
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