On June 4, 2024, President Biden issued an executive order that essentially closes the border immediately and significantly restricts access to asylum moving forward. Urge President Biden to instead focus on compassionate reform that respects the humanity and dignity of all those seeking protection in the U.S.
Background
An asylum seeker is an individual who meets the international definition of a refugee – meaning that they are fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or specific social group membership – and who applies for protection inside the U.S. or at the border. The first formal refugee and asylum policies in the U.S. were passed in response to the millions of displaced people in Europe in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. The Refugee Act of 1980 formalized the U.S. commitment to respond to people seeking protection from persecution across the globe.
Under U.S. and international law, anyone who steps on U.S. soil or who presents themselves at a U.S. port of entry is entitled to apply for asylum. An asylum seeker must then pass a “credible fear” interview in which an immigration agent determines if there is a “significant possibility” of danger for the individual in their home country.
On June 4, 2024, President Biden issued an executive order that will allow the administration to temporarily close the border once arrivals surpass a daily average of 2,500 over the course of one week. This action effectively closes the border immediately and will return many asylum seekers to the very harm they fled, which is in direct violation of international law.
In light of this order, we must ensure that the federal government works to find ways to expand asylum protections, rather than making it more difficult. The time for meaningful immigration reform is more important now than ever.
Jewish Values
The Torah has many stories and laws that inspire us to welcome migrants and asylum seekers: Abraham and Sarah famously welcomed three mysterious guests into their tent. We read in Genesis that not only did Abraham allow the guests to enter, he also ran towards them, modeling the enthusiasm with which we should embrace those seeking refuge (Genesis 18:1-5). At Passover, we read about the importance of internalizing the lessons of the Exodus and reflecting this awareness in our actions. Deuteronomy teaches the importance of protecting those fleeing dangerous conditions, telling of the imperative to protect the escaped slave—an archetype of someone in physical danger (23:16). We draw inspiration from these sources and others as we call on our elected officials to welcome asylum seekers and refugees.
For more information on this issue, visit the RAC’s Immigration Page or contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Ellen Garfinkle.
By submitting this form, you are agreeing to receive emails from the RAC and URJ. You can manage your preferences at any time.
Most elected officials with online contact forms require a prefix to submit a message, so this requirement is part of the VoterVoice platform. For most offices, you may submit any prefix or title up to 30 characters (including gendered, professional, religious, and non-binary prefixes), but a small number of offices only accept certain prefixes. Learn more about this requirement, which is not controlled by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.