Senate Supplemental Bill: Tell Our Senators To Protect Asylum Seekers

Please find below our statement in opposition to the immigration provisions in the Supplemental Bill being considered in the U.S. Senate, and the call to action to contact our Senators to express opposition to its passage.

_____________________

We marched in 2018 to stop the separation of families and in 2019 to end deportations and detentions, and we have consistently advocated for policies that make our country, state and city welcoming to immigrants. Indivisible Chicago believes that creating a just, humane and effective immigration system is one of our most important priorities. That is why we oppose the Senate Supplemental Bill. It fails to address the very real issue of humanitarian migration and instead would increase detentions, expand surveillance, fund private prisons and a border wall, close the border to those seeking asylum based solely on arbitrary numbers, and deny many refugees the opportunity to present their cases for asylum in violation of the Refugee Convention. While it now looks like MAGA Republicans are turning against their own proposal, possibly dooming this bill, it is important for us to clearly state our opposition to such a cruel and inhumane approach to the treatment of immigrant families in this and future legislation and to call on our Members of Congress to also voice their opposition.

Historically, none of these deterrents have ever stopped immigrants from leaving their homes and coming to the US, often driven by intolerable conditions. These measures are cruel and would do incredible harm to those seeking refuge here. This Senate funding bill is premised on the disinformation, fear, hate, and xenophobia that has defined MAGA, who continue to use immigrants as politically expendable pawns to grow their right-wing base. The provisions in this bill are dangerous – to those seeking refuge, to immigrants anywhere in our country, and to the values that define our country.  

We do need to fix our immigration system – and we must start from a place of humanity and with a positive vision that welcomes newcomers with dignity, protects migrants who’ve called the United States their home for decades, and invests in what helps people live and thrive. All immigrants, including those that are already in the country, are deserving of the dignity of shelter, work authorizations, and ready access to the immigration legal system. While we understand the need to negotiate and compromise, trading the lives of refugees and investing in border walls, detention and expedited deportations to fund foreign aid is not the answer.

We need to clearly state that Congress must vote no on this supplemental funding bill and should oppose future attempts by MAGA Republicans to force enactment of the cruel and inhumane policies of the Trump administration directed against people seeking a better life for their families.   

We are joining with Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), National Immigrant Justice Center, United We Dream, Indivisible National, the ACLU, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), and many other immigrant and progressive organizations in calling for Congress to reject this funding bill.

Here is what you can do:

  1. Call Senator Durbin and tell him to reverse his position and oppose the Senate funding bill. See the script below. (contact details linked here)

  2. Call Senator Duckworth and tell her to oppose the Senate funding bill (contact details linked here)

  3. Share on social media the posts for Indivisible Chicago and other organizations under #SaveAsylum #AsylumRights #WelcomeWithDignity, and tag Senators Durbin and Duckworth.

  4. Share this with others and ask them to take this action too.

Senator Durbin: 

"Hello, My name is [NAME], and I am alarmed by efforts to gut asylum protections, expand immigrant detention, and shut the door on refugees in exchange for a one-time foreign aid package.

I understand that Senator Durbin has issued a statement extending his support to this bill, but it is not too late to VOTE NO on the extreme and unworkable bill which is anti-immigrant, which will endanger refugees, separate families, and create more chaos and dysfunction at the border.  Senator Durbin had always stated his support for immigrants – but no one who supports immigration reform and the humane treatment of those seeking asylum can support this bill. Again, I am urging Senator Durbin to stand against hate, to support immigrants, and to withdraw his support for this funding bill.”

Senator Duckworth:

"Hello, My name is [NAME], and I am alarmed by efforts to gut asylum protections, expand immigrant detention, and shut the door on refugees in exchange for a one-time foreign aid package.

I am urging Senator Duckworth to VOTE NO on the extreme and unworkable bill which is anti-immigrant, which will endanger refugees, separate families, and create more chaos and dysfunction at the border. Senator Duckworth had always stated her support for immigrants – and no one who supports immigration reform and the humane treatment of those seeking asylum can support this bill. Again, I am urging Senator Duckworth to stand against hate, to support immigrants, and to vote no on this funding bill.”