SEIU’s Henry: Biden Administration Must Use End of Title 42 as Opportunity To Build a More Just, Humane Immigration System

“Title 42 was a cruel and counterproductive policy that denied individuals and families their right to seek asylum at the U.S. border and put them in harm's way. Its demise is long overdue. As a nation of immigrants, we know that our communities and economy are stronger when we welcome people seeking refuge. Title 42 expulsions were inhumane, contrary to our national interest, and never justified on public health or any other grounds.

This Trump-era policy allowed millions of primarily Black, brown, and indigenous people seeking safety to be expelled from the U.S. But the anti-immigrant and racist beliefs that undergird Title 42 remain. Today, House Republicans are forcing a vote on the toxic ‘Secure the Border Act of 2023,’ which ranks among the most wrongheaded immigration bills that have ever received a vote in Congress. Instead of offering humane and common sense solutions to our dysfunctional immigration system, MAGA Republicans continue to dangerously dehumanize and vilify immigrants rather than advance real solutions.

As Title 42 ends, we must remember that our country is completely capable of meeting the challenges ahead and overcoming the temporary rise in the number of people seeking safety. It’s past time for Democrats, and especially Republicans in Congress, to meet the moment by advancing solutions that fix our broken immigration system, including a pathway to citizenship. SEIU’s 2 million members also demand President Biden use every tool at his disposal to strengthen our democracy and economy by moving towards more humane policies and using his full authority to provide legal status to immigrants who are here living and working in our communities. Our members, and the more than 9 million working immigrants in the U.S., will settle for nothing less.”