Congressional Hispanic Caucus First Vice-Chair Joaquin Castro Condemns Trump Administration’s Action Limiting Access to Asylum at the U.S. Border
WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), the First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s interim final rule and presidential proclamation seeking to limit asylum claims for migrants at the US-Mexico border:
“Seeking asylum in our country is not illegal. It is written into our nation’s immigration laws, and protected under international law, to ensure those who have a credible fear of persecution can present their case. In order to expand an anti-immigrant agenda, the Trump Administration has chosen to flagrantly ignore U.S and international law and violate human rights by closing the door on vulnerable women, men and children who are peacefully turning themselves over to immigration authorities to seek refuge from extreme violence and economic strife.
“The Trump Administration’s efforts to erect more barriers to asylum and demonize immigrants runs contrary to our American values. U.S. law allows individuals to apply for asylum regardless of whether an individual presents themselves to officials at a port of entry. President Trump is overstepping his legal authority and this decision will be challenged in the courts. This decision will also likely draw condemnation from our international partners, and moves our nation further from our moral conscience.”
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