LULAC Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Ending Trump 'Stay In Mexico' Policy For Refugees Seeking Asylum
Nation's Largest and Oldest Latino Civil Rights Organization Cautions SCOTUS Ruling Demands Additional Support to Address Migrant Crisis at Border
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement in reaction to the 5-4 ruling by the Supreme Court to end the Mexican Protection Protocols (MPP). The policy started during the Trump Administration and required refugees seeking asylum to return to Mexican soil to await a decision on their immigration application.
Domingo Garcia – LULAC National President
"This is the right decision on a humanitarian situation that Congress must address immediately. Beefing up the border with state troopers or soldiers is not the solution. Neither was the draconian Title 42 policy that portrayed migrants seeking asylum as diseased-ridden. LULAC urges Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work bipartisan so that millions of people in immigration limbo finally get the answers they deserve. Many have been waiting for years, even decades. Without bi-partisan legislation to fix this broken immigration system, we will continue to see the dangerous and deadly outcomes like the deaths of 53 immigrants inside an 18-wheel trailer. Desperate refugees fleeing their countries will fall prey to coyotes / human smugglers and more exploitation by companies hiring them as illegal workers under the table unless our government acts now. Border communities need resources; we need more immigration judges and customs officials to hear legal claims and accept those who qualify or send those who do not back home."
Sindy Benavides – LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
"LULAC is working with the migrant communities and their extended families throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, so we see firsthand and understand the terrible human toll asylum-seeking refugees are paying. Also, here in Washington, we are in touch regularly with the White House and Congress, offering our assistance to help find a way forward. This is a very personal and painful situation to witness as an immigrant. As LULAC CEO, I am determined to continue being a strong advocate for immigration reform."
Lydia Guzman – LULAC National Immigration Chair
"We're glad to see the policy ended because it was dangerous and horrible conditions at the border … HOWEVER, we still are concerned that the border communities and the NGOs along the border will have the proper resources to process the asylum-seekers. We hope that the administration heard the concerns of many (including ours) that proper resources need to be addressed to help make this a successful transition."
Rodolfo Rosales Jr. – Texas LULAC State Director
"Texas LULAC is elated that the court majority has seen the wisdom of dealing with a policy that has led to extremely inhumane conditions along the border. Also, men, women, and children living in tent cities filled with thousands of homeless refugees are victimized by criminals and unscrupulous predators looking to exploit them. We stand with the Biden Administration and all those individuals working tirelessly to help refugees in a desperate situation."
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/