June 4, 2024
Contact: Paige Censale, [email protected] 

San Diego, California – Haitian Bridge Alliance vehemently condemns President Biden’s executive order, which will severely limit asylum applications by halting acceptance once daily border crossings reach 2,500. Under this measure, the border will remain closed to asylum seekers until daily crossings drop to 1,500.

“President Biden’s executive order is a direct assault on the fundamental human right to seek asylum,” stated Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “This Trump era policy will leave thousands of vulnerable individuals, including families, children, and those fleeing violence and persecution, without the protection and refuge they need. It is unconscionable to turn our backs on people in their greatest moment of need. President Biden must keep his commitment to restore America’s soul.”

The executive order will disproportionately affect those fleeing from countries with high levels of violence and instability, in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the African continent. This policy fails to address the root causes of irregular migration and instead punishes those who are already suffering. The United States has a long-standing history of destabilizing countries through flawed foreign policies. These interventions often lead to political, social, and economic turmoil in the affected regions, creating conditions that force many individuals to flee their homes in search of safety and stability. As a result, a significant number of asylum seekers at U.S. borders can be directly traced to the chaos and instability generated by these foreign policy failures. This correlation highlights the unintended humanitarian consequences of such policies, underscoring the need for more responsible international engagement. 

“Managing border crossings by arbitrarily capping asylum applications does nothing to address the systemic issues driving people to flee their homes,” Jozef continued. “It only serves to create more chaos and uncertainty for those seeking safety and a better life. While I understand that the United States must protect its national security interests, we must do so without violating the rights of asylum seekers. We urge President Biden to reconsider this harmful approach and instead work towards comprehensive immigration reform that upholds America’s commitment to human rights, dignity, and the rule of law.”