FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2024

CONTACT: 

Brandon Lee

blee@icirr.org 

ICIRR response to Biden’s executive order

On Tuesday, President Biden announced new executive actions that would restrict asylum on the southern border and increase harmful enforcement measures. In response to President Biden’s border announcement, ICIRR executive director Lawrence Benito said:

“For the past two years Chicagoans and community leaders from across Illinois have worked together to welcome new arrivals into our communities with dignity and respect, while also demanding solutions and resources from the federal government.

“But today, President Biden showed disregard for those seeking safety as well as those who have stepped up against cynical tactics from anti-immigrant governors. By taking a page directly from the Trump playbook and enacting cruel policies on vulnerable people for political reasons, Biden has chosen counterproductive actions that put families and communities in harm's way.

“Rather than bringing back Trump-era restrictions on asylum, President Biden must instead use his executive action to provide protections for immigrants, including expanding eligibility for TPS. Additionally, Congress must fund state and local governments, nonprofits and community organizations that support people as they navigate their asylum cases both at the border and in communities nationwide. We also remain steadfast in our demand for permanent solutions such as a pathway to citizenship for all and an end to deportations.”