Viewpoint: Biden’s asylum ban is not the answer

Ascentria Care Alliance and the International Institute of New England are human services organizations that have been welcoming and serving immigrants in New England communities for more than a century. While our organizations understand the pressure President Joe Biden is under to address the influx of migrants along the southern border, the U.S. has a proud tradition of being a safe haven for asylum seekers. An asylum transit ban is contrary to this country’s self-proclaimed status and long history as a beacon of liberty. Notwithstanding the humanitarian argument, we fear this ban will put additional strain on our already struggling economy by preventing a critical source of much-needed labor to come to Massachusetts. The Biden Administration’s proposed rule would ban people from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they do not apply for asylum in another country first or do not make an appointment with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office through a mobile app. This is completely contrary to our fundamental values of providing refuge to those who are fleeing persecution, violence, or other threats. Moreover, it violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows people seeking protection to apply for asylum regardless of the manner of entry. There are critical arguments to make in support of open asylum. Economic benefit: Immigrants offer our struggling economy a critical source of labor across industries. A glaring example is the healthcare systems in Massachusetts crumbling due to staff shortages, putting patients at risk, and leaving thousands without care. A reduction in immigrants with work eligibility will exacerbate this. Ascentria and IINE have spent years developing partnerships to address staff shortages by creating a pathway for licensed medical professionals from other countries to be trained to work in healthcare facilities. Child protection: Under the proposed ban, children will be allowed U.S. entry if they arrive unaccompanied, but they will be turned away if they arrive with family members, exacerbating family separation at the border and putting desperate children at unforgivable risk. We call on policymakers to recognize the importance of a fair and humane asylum system to allow people to seek safety from persecution. Working together, we can find ways to ensure those seeking asylum can reunite with their families and pursue a path to citizenship; and make available a critical source of labor in the U.S. Angela Bovill is president and CEO of Worcester human services nonprofit Ascentria Care Alliance. Jeffrey Thielman is president and CEO of Boston immigration nonprofit International Institute of New England.