JFS Statement on Biden Administration Unwinding Migrant Protection Protocols

Jewish Family Service of San Diego Statement Re: Biden-Harris Administration Begins Unwinding Migrant Protection Protocols From Michael Hopkins, CEO   Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) applauds the Biden-Harris administration’s move to formally begin unwinding the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP or “Remain in Mexico”), which has denied protection and safety in the U.S. to tens of thousands of asylum seekers and forced them into dangerous situations across the border. Together, with protecting public health as our focus, we are moving forward and welcoming migrants enrolled in MPP into the U.S. so they can assert their legal right to asylum – fairly, humanely and without fear. On Friday, February 19, 25 individuals from MPP were processed into the U.S., where they’ll be quarantined in hotels, per County Public Health. The first group included six families and five individuals from Honduras, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Cuba. This will be a gradual and collaborative process, and public health remains our top priority as these very vulnerable individuals arrive. Justice for the 20,000-25,000 people subjected to MPP still waiting across the border is long overdue. JFS and our partners in the San Diego Rapid Response Network remain committed to assisting migrants, including providing respite shelter services for asylum-seeking families, free legal services and education in response to ongoing immigration emergencies, and more. We know the number of asylum seekers from MPP processed into the U.S. will gradually increase in the coming weeks, and we look forward to working with all levels of government to provide the resources and support needed to welcome people seeking asylum safely and expeditiously at our border. JFS has worked alongside the 65-plus organizations of the California Welcoming Task Force in anticipation of policy changes and will continue to make public health the priority for our community, staff and asylum-seeking individuals. Every day, we hear the horrific stories of persecution and violence that asylum seekers are fleeing – their stories drive our commitment to a more just system. Still, there is a lot of work to be done, including ending policies such as Title 42, which allows for the expulsion of vulnerable individuals at our border. Continuing to “Welcome the Stranger” is only possible with community support at www.rapidresponsesd.org.   ###

February 12, 2021