June 20, 2020— Today is World Refugee Day: a day to honor those who’ve sought refuge around the world. On this day, we are asking you to take action to advocate for people seeking refuge in the U.S.
We are asking you to please speak out against a proposed rule by the Trump Administration that would effectively end asylum in the United States. The rule has been published in the Federal Register, and is open for public comment until July 15th. We know that as RIT supporters, you care deeply about our country’s future as a safe haven for those who’ve sought refuge. Please scroll down to learn more, and comment in the Federal Register as soon as you can.
What does the new rule do?
This sweeping 161-page regulation is the Trump Administration’s biggest blow yet to the U.S. asylum system. Among other changes, the regulation:
Denies asylum-seekers their day in court by allowing judges to reject applications without a hearing.
Bans asylum for those persecuted on account of their gender.
Significantly restricts asylum for those who experienced political persecution or torture.
Blocks virtually all who’ve passed through more than one country on their way to the U.S.
Disqualifies all who’ve failed to report income to the IRS or made a mistake in filing.
Bans asylum applications from those who’ve been in the U.S. for 1+ year before applying.
Read more in this Mother Jones explainer with comments by Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of American Immigration Council.
Template Comment (Please personalize - duplicate comments will not be counted):
I write to express my strong opposition to Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2020 (Docket ID: EOIR-2020-0003, RIN: 1125-AA94): “Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review.”
This proposed rule tightens eligibility standards for asylum-seekers to the point where it will be nearly impossible to qualify, and thus ending humanitarian protection as an option for immigrants to the U.S.
I care because [INSERT HERE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE OR THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ASYLUM PROTECTIONS]
The regulation goes against every fiber of the U.S. judicial system as well as all international principles of humanitarian protection. Most outrageously, it grants immigration judges the power to deny people their day in court by rejecting applications without a hearing. It rewrites current asylum law to eliminate multiple grounds under which people are currently afforded asylum, including gender. It creates unreasonable obstacles, such as blocking virtually all who pass through more than one country on their way to the United States (without pursuing relief in those countries), even if it is for a layover.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit a comment on the proposed rulemaking.
Sample Social Media Post
Action Alert! The new Trump Admin regulation decimates asylum protections for people seeking refuge. It’s the Admin’s biggest blow to asylum yet, and urgent action is needed! Public comments on the rule accepted until July 15, see more info & link below: reftrans.org/action-alert-save-asylum
Image credits: Kate Ausburn, Creative Commons license. No changes made to original image.