- Policy Briefs
Providing Perspective on the Application of Immigration Law at the US Southwest Border
Published
The American Immigration Council appeared before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Sub-committee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement to address the question of whether the Biden administration is faithfully executing the law. The testimony explains how immigration officials are imbued with significant enforcement discretion and explains that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are required to carry out both enforcement laws and humanitarian protection laws. The testimony emphasizes:
- That releases of migrants at the border are a lawful exercise of the executive branch’s authority.
- That every presidential administration has released some migrants after crossing the border, due to legal, logistical, and diplomatic concerns.
- That CBP officers have more options than detaining individuals seeking protection.
The testimony concludes by arguing that Congress’ failure to provide sufficient resources to our humanitarian adjudication systems has made the situation at the border worse. It calls for Congress to come together to update our immigration laws and address the difficult question of how to build a 21st century humanitarian protection system.
Watch Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council testify before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee
Help us fight for immigration justice!
The research is clear – immigrants are more likely to win their cases with a lawyer by their side. But very few can get attorneys.
Introducing the Immigration Justice Campaign Access Fund.
Your support sends attorneys, provides interpreters, and delivers justice.
Immigration Justice Campaign is an initiative of American Immigration Council and American Immigration Lawyers Association. The mission is to increase free legal services for immigrants navigating our complicated immigration system and leverage the voices and experiences of those most directly impacted by our country’s immigration policies to inform legal and advocacy strategies. We bring together a broad network of volunteers who provide legal assistance and advocate for due process for immigrants with a humane approach that includes universal legal representation and other community-based support for individuals during their immigration cases.