UUSJ’s Immigration Task Group is analyzing priorities for the next two years under the incoming Biden Administration. It will call for immediate steps to reverse and/or rescind the many anti-immigrant executive actions and rule changes of the past four years.

These include reinstating the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and the TPS (Temporary Protected Status) programs and reversing actions that increase fees for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), discourage immigrants from using social services, and expand intrusive biometrics collections.

On asylum issues, the Task Group urges immediately ending automatic detention especially of families and unaccompanied minors and returning to asylum criteria that include victims of domestic, gender, and gang violence. It also advocates re-opening the Mexican border with appropriate processing of asylum requests and ending the Remain in Mexico (MPP) program.

Before the Continuing Resolution that funds federal agencies expires December 11, ITG will be contacting Senate and House appropriations committees to again call for reducing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), increasing congressional oversight of DHS and including immigrants in any COVID relief legislation.

Looking ahead, the Task Group urges identifying pathways to legal residence and citizenship for DACA, TPS, and undocumented immigrants.  It also supports a robust increase in the refugee resettlement cap in 2021 but recognizes that the State Department-funded agencies involved must be rebuilt and get adequate resources.  A longer-term goal is advocating for a more independent immigration court system, less politicized than the current system.

While comprehensive immigration reform may be difficult for Congress to pass, the Task Group will be working on building grassroots support for it in partnership with other faith-based advocacy organizations.  It is also committed to changing the negative narrative about immigrants by highlighting their many contributions to the US society, economy and culture, and stressing the moral reasons for treating immigrants with respect and dignity.