SILVER SPRING, Maryland — Today, Title 42, the COVID pandemic-era health policy, is scheduled to come to an end. CLINIC has long joined other immigration rights groups in advocating for an end to this policy, which has deprived migrants of their right to seek asylum, a right enshrined in U.S. and international law. However, CLINIC remains concerned that the plans to manage border arrivals post-Title 42 include dangerous restrictions on asylum and other harmful policies.

“In the coming days, as new policies are implemented and the post-Title 42 landscape unfolds, CLINIC will continue to repeat Pope Francis’ words: we are ‘brothers and sisters all,’” said Anna Gallagher, CLINIC’s executive director. “The men, women, and children who come to our borders are made in the image and likeness of God, with equal and untouchable dignity. We know this based on our faith. We will continue to pray and speak out for immigration policies that respect that truth, including the right to seek asylum freely, fairly, and safely.”

CLINIC is alarmed that, as part of its post-Title 42 policies, the administration intends to enact the proposed “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” which will effectively dismantle the right to seek asylum. CLINIC will work with its Affiliate network to advocate against any policies that weaken asylum protections and for ample resources and robust cooperation to aid migrants arriving post-Title 42.

“Over the next weeks and months, our Affiliate partners working along the border will be at the forefront of responding to the needs of migrants after Title 42 ends,” continued Gallagher. “We ask all people of faith to join CLINIC in prayer and support for those welcoming migrants and for our migrant brothers and sisters seeking safety and the promise of a better life.”