We told you our work wasn’t over! Just weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced they would be terminating Title 42 on May 23rd, there is already pushback. Senators Lankford (R-OK) and Sinema (D-AZ) in the Senate have introduced the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, commonly referred to as the “Lankford-Simena Bill” Senate, S.4036. And Representatives Gonzalez (R-OH) and Golden (D-ME) have introduced a companion bill in the House, H.R. 7458.
If this bill passes it would prevent Title 42 from being lifted. This means the United States would continue denying men, women, and families the right to seek safety and sending them back to harm. The CDC was right in revoking Title 42 as there is no public health rationale to justify the policy. The Lankford-Sinema bill directly undermines one of the highest authorities on public health. Even worse, members of Congress who pride themselves in supporting human rights are signing onto the bill daily, essentially supporting family separation and suffering at the border.
Our asylum system is at risk. Only by fully ending Title 42 can President Biden step up on the global stage and responsibly welcome those seeking safety and refuge at our own border from conflicts around the world.
What You Can Do
Congress could vote on this bill soon, time is running out for you to call your representatives to ask them to NOT support the Lankford-Simena bill.
These representatives in the House have already co-sponsored: Rep. Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Gonzales (R-TX), Rep. O’Halleran (D-AZ), Rep. Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Murphy (D-FL), Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Salazar (R-FL), Rep. Stanton, (D-AZ)
And these senators have already co-sponsored: Sen. Cornyn, John (R-TX), Sen. Kelly (D-AZ), Sen. Thune (R-SD), Sen. Manchin, (D-WV) Sen. Capito, (R-WV), Sen. Tester (D-MT), Sen. Portman (R-OH), Sen. Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Tillis, (R-NC)
If you see your representative or senator above and are disappointed they are supporting this bill, call them and let them know! If you don’t see YOUR member of Congress above, find their contact information here, call their DC office, and use the sample script below.
“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent from [CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE]. I urge Representative/ Senator [YOUR REP’S LAST NAME] to NOT sign onto the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, which is attempting to counter the CDC’s decision to terminate Title 42. Representative [YOUR REP’S LAST NAME] can use this as an opportunity to stand up for what is right and support safe and humane asylum processing at the U.S.-Mexico border for those fleeing from violence. Title 42 is a cruel policy that has caused so much human suffering already. We need to make sure the policy is fully terminated. By saying no, Representative [YOUR REP’S LAST NAME] can help U.S. policy move towards welcoming men, women, and families to our country and away from cruelty. Thank you for your attention on this matter.”
A just border policy wouldn’t be possible without your activism. Let’s restore asylum.
