In light of the Biden Administration’s announcement to issue a proposed rule that would reinstate the Trump-era asylum ban, Workers Circle CEO, Ann Toback, issued the following statement:
January 30, 2023
We are deeply disappointed by the Biden Administration’s recent announcement to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the purpose of reinstating the inhumane Trump-era asylum ban and urge the President to abandon these plans.
The proposed asylum ban would wrongly presume that people who do not use “conventional pathways to migration”—often impossible for those fleeing persecution and violence — are ineligible for asylum. In the past these bans led to policies of detention and family separation as well as eliminated a pathway to citizenship for refugees who were unjustly barred.
We are shocked to see the President retreat on his campaign commitment to move away from the cruel, draconian asylum ban of the Trump Administration and away from his explicit recognition that asylum is a human right.
Our organization was founded in 1900 by Eastern European Jewish immigrants, many of whom fled to the US seeking the safety and freedom only possible in a democracy. This very same motivation has sent many of today’s asylum seekers to our border.
We support the right to seek asylum, part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and strongly urge the President to reconsider the proposed rulemaking that would reinstitute a shameful and unjust asylum ban that violates both US law and international treaties.
We recognize that our nation continues to struggle to develop a humane immigration and border policy because our democracy has been distorted by the filibuster rule, extreme gerrymandering, voter suppression and billions in dark money in politics. The Workers Circle reiterates our commitment to strengthening American democracy as critical for the advancement of immigrant rights.
About the Workers Circle
Founded 122 years ago, the Workers Circle (formerly known as the Workmen’s Circle) is a social justice organization that powers progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and social justice activism. For over a century we have provided this 360-degree approach to Jewish identity-building. Through contemporary cultural programs, strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, interactive educational experiences and more, we connect Jewish adults, kids and families of all affiliations with their cultural heritage, working to build a better and more beautiful world for all. Learn more at www.circle.org.