President-elect Trump has promised sweeping changes to immigration policy under his new administration starting on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. The following article was published in the January – February 2025 issue of NewsNotes. Some of the second Trump Administration’s proposed immigration policies risk severe consequences, including the separation of families and the emotional and…
An executive order effectively closes the U.S. southern border to people seeking asylum.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 45 other advocacy groups in condemning President Biden’s executive order setting a precedent for closing the border. The coalition has released a press release outlining their opposition.
Expanding detention further criminalizes people who are seeking protection for themselves and their children.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 50 other Catholic organizations in a letter to Senators and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to express opposition to several extreme immigration proposals reportedly considered as part of the Biden administration’s budget requests. The letter names, in particular, opposition to proposals to change the “credible fear” test for asylum, mandate detention for asylum seekers, expand expedited removals, and codify the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
Our nation’s diverse faith traditions call us to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner. The asylum provisions under consideration are not in line with our country and our communities’ long legacy of welcome. We urge your administration and members of Congress to reject the permanent asylum restrictions under discussion and support solutions that would live up to our values and welcome the most vulnerable
Maryknoll’s Office for Global Concerns joined Catholic organizations in opposing the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023, which would, among other things, restart the Remain in Mexico program, require family detention, and subject unaccompanied children to expedited removal.
Maryknoll’s Office for Global Concerns joined Catholic organizations in opposing the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which would, among other things, undermine essential partnerships with Catholic care and respite centers, deport unaccompanied children, and eliminate parole authority.
The fact that these migrants – many of them reportedly from Venezuela – were forced to wait in Mexico while on their migration journey to the U.S. border is the United States’ shame.
Human rights organizations, religious groups, and members of Congress have repeatedly urged the Biden administration not to move forward with the proposed rule announced yesterday and to restore equitable access to asylum.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega released 222 political prisoners, exiling them to the United States on February 9. He also revoked their citizenship.
With the new policies announced by President Biden, the right to seek asylum at ports of entry continues to shrink to the point of illusion.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and missioners working on the southern border call for this shameful practice [of sending migrants to northern cities without a plan] to end and for leaders at all levels of government to work together for an ethical approach to the management of migration that centers the dignity of the person, in this case, the vulnerable migrant.
The faith community has repeatedly urged Congress to provide lasting protection for our new Afghan neighbors. The only viable solution is through the passage of an Afghan Adjustment Act, as the U.S. has done for other vulnerable people such as Cubans following the rise of Fidel Castro, Southeast Asians following the fall of Saigon, and Iraqis following multiple U.S. military engagements.
Civil society groups outlined migration policy priorities in a letter to Pres. Biden before the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in June 2022.
Nearly one year since taking office, Pres. Biden continues to violate U.S. asylum law and treaty obligations by turning away asylum seekers.
Nearly eleven months since taking office, this administration continues to violate U.S. asylum law and evade U.S. treaty obligations by blocking and returning asylum seekers to places where their lives and safety are in peril.
