Election Results and Asylum Seeker Impact

November 8, 2020

As we await an address by our President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, we Tías and Abuelas are swimming in a sea of emotions. 

Such enormous relief, that the administration that turned our immigration policies into a deeply inhumane horror story for thousands of suffering asylum seekers at our southern border has been repudiated and will soon be removed from power. 

Such anger and grief over the continued suffering and injustice, which we’ve observed first hand for the past two and a half years. 

Such joy that Americans went to the polls and voted out a vile administration responsible for heartless, even lethal, decisions about the lives of immigrants and people of color throughout our nation. 

And hope, as this new administration promises the end of MPP and a reasoned and  welcoming approach to immigration and asylum. 

We are determined to contribute to the Biden administration’s plan to provide welcoming communities for asylum seekers, to keep families together, and to open opportunities for asylum seekers to contribute to our communities.

Since Dr. Jill Biden visited the squalid tent encampment in Matamoros last winter we know she’s aware of what must change. We know she’s aware of why MPP, also known as Remain in Mexico, must come to an end. 

We know you are celebrating with us tonight, and bracing yourselves for the next two months before the transition begins. But there is light. Our friends in Matamoros and Reynosa are seeing light at the end of a very dark passage. 

May we be the guides leading them to this light. Thank you for all you do to help us help them!