LIRS Condemns Treatment of Haitian Migrants and Continued Use of Title 42

Contact: Timothy Young | tyoung@lirs.org | 443-257-6310

Washington D.C. – Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) strongly opposes the Biden administration’s continued use of the public health order known as Title 42 to expel scores of Haitian and other migrants seeking safe harbor at the U.S. southern border, particularly in Del Rio, Texas.

The policy has recently been ruled likely unlawful as applied to migrant families with children by a District Court judge, whose decision requires an injunction implemented within 14 days of its issuance. The policy faces opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as public health experts. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has also condemned the use of Title 42 and has called for its rescission.

The following is a statement by Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service:

“Many of these vulnerable Haitian families have braved unforgiving terrain to reach our southern border and lawfully seek asylum. The images circulating of mounted Border Patrol agents underscore the deeply disturbing lack of humanity within our nation’s over-militarized border policy.

The broader issue, however, remains the continued use of an obscure public health order that deprives migrants of their legal right to seek asylum. Returning them home, or to third countries with no infrastructure to support them, is as dangerous as it is unconscionable. To do so without so much as an interview or court hearing is downright un-American.

We urge President Biden to make good on his promise of being ‘a friend to the Haitian people’ through meaningful policy change. Notably, the administration should heed the call of both Congressional leaders and immigration advocates to rescind the racist Title 42 order. We have the capacity and moral fortitude to welcome these families with dignity, in accordance with our legal obligations under U.S. and international law.”

Founded in 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the largest faith-based national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to serving refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable immigrant communities in the United States. Through nearly 80 years of service and advocacy, LIRS has helped over 500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in America, including 10,000 Afghan allies through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.