Faith Leaders and Religious Groups Voice Opposition to Biden’s Plan to Restrict Asylum
Alejandra Molina of Religion News Service reports, “Taking advantage of a required public comment period, a broad array of faith leaders and religious groups, including faith-based refugee aid organizations, are speaking out against a proposed federal rule that would generally deny asylum to migrants who arrive at the U.S. southern border without first seeking protection in any country the migrants passed through.” The measure is similar to the Trump administration’s asylum policy which was struck down as unconstitutional after it was challenged in court. In a letter from 130 faith groups to the Biden administration, religious leaders wrote, “We’re concerned that the proposed asylum rule may exacerbate the issues prevalent in detention, around access to counsel and due process. It’s plain to see that these policies will sow confusion and instill fear.”