WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, and Representative Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following joint statement urging President Biden to reject the Trump-era immigration policies being considered in the ongoing negotiations around the supplemental aid package:

“We are deeply concerned that the President would consider advancing Trump-era immigration policies that Democrats fought so hard against — and that he himself campaigned against — in exchange for aid to our allies that Republicans already support. Caving to demands for these permanent damaging policy changes as a ‘price to be paid’ for an unrelated one-time spending package would set a dangerous precedent.

“President Biden knows that is not what Democrats stand for. During his 2020 campaign he pledged to restore our nation’s ‘moral standing in the world and our historic role as a haven for refugees and asylum seekers.’ It is unconscionable that the President would consider going back on his word to enact what amounts to a ban on asylum.

“Terrorizing communities across the U.S. by expanding expedited removal and ignoring our international obligations to provide asylum to those fleeing persecution, violence, and authoritarianism are nonstarters. We unequivocally agree on the need for Congress to act to reform our immigration system and address the challenges at our border, but extreme Republican demands to cut off legal pathways and deport long-term residents will not reduce unauthorized migration — they will only exacerbate our current challenges.

“After voting against significant border security investments last week, Senate Republicans clearly are not interested in strategic border management and we should not be entertaining their cruel and unrealistic demands.”

Last month, Senator Padilla led 10 colleagues in issuing a joint statement condemning the proposed threats to the asylum system in the supplemental aid package negotiations.

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