CGRS Urges Senators to Reject Anti-Asylum Poison Pill Amendments

Ahead of their consideration of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) urges Senators to vote no on any amendment that would undermine the rights of people seeking asylum and jeopardize the passage of this crucial bill. We anticipate that anti-immigrant lawmakers will propose amendments that would codify and indefinitely extend the Title 42 expulsion policy, escalate draconian immigration enforcement measures, and block immigrant families from critical health and economic supports. We implore Senators to reject these cynical attempts to advance an anti-immigrant agenda and score political points ahead of the midterm elections, which could become a “poison pill” and derail the bill entirely.

“We are counting on our leaders to stand strong in their values and oppose any amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that would harm people seeking asylum and immigrants,” CGRS Director of Policy & Advocacy Kate Jastram said today. “Enshrining the Title 42 policy in law would fly in the face of Congress’ longstanding commitment to welcome refugees and violate U.S. treaty obligations to protect people fleeing persecution. It would have deadly consequences for families, children, and adults seeking safety. That Congress would even consider such a radical and dangerous proposal is outrageous. We urge Senators to vote no.”

Today CGRS joined 286 state, local, and national immigration, civil rights, public health, business, education, religious, labor, and other organizations in a letter calling on Senators to reject any and all anti-immigrant amendments to this legislation.