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Border Humanity Project, a campaign to fight for humane border policies.
People fleeing persecution and violence have the legal and human right to seek asylum in the United States. Our nation is made stronger when we welcome people with compassion and dignity. Together, we can end the horrors of immigration detention and rebuild a better asylum system.
Who We Are.
The American Civil Liberties Union has joined with the ACLU of Arizona, the ACLU of New Mexico, the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and the ACLU of Texas to advocate for rebuilding asylum and demanding an end to indiscriminate immigration detention and abuses at the border. Our team consists of advocates, litigators, community leaders, and experts who are deeply engaged in working towards humane reforms along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.
We can take action to welcome people seeking asylum with dignity and respect and stop the horrors of abuse in immigration detention. We can fight for transparency, accountability, and humane treatment of people.
Get Involved.
Tell President Biden he must keep his campaign promise and uphold the fundamental right to seek asylum.
The Biden administration proposed a sweeping policy change on February 21 that would unlawfully deny asylum to people seeking protection at the southern border who don't first wait to apply for asylum in Mexico or other countries they passed through. This policy doesn’t take into account the fact that many of these countries don't have working asylum systems. In doing so, President Biden is breaking a direct campaign promise.
Take action by recording a video you can share.
Why Rebuild Asylum?
People seeking safety in our country bring courage, hope, and resilience. Instead of safety, our immigration system often excludes people entirely or greets them with detention and punishment. We must demand that our government offer them respect, dignity, and due process as required by our laws and our values. It is time to rebuild and reimagine our asylum system.
Why Limit Detention?
The current approach to border enforcement subjects people seeking asylum and other migrants to indiscriminate detention and accompanying abuses, including family separation, severe overcrowding, sexual and physical assault, medical neglect, and blatant disregard for people’s humanity. This is not the country we aspire to be. Community based organizations can offer support. There are community-based alternatives to detention that let us welcome people with dignity and respect.
Why Support Community-Based Welcoming Programs?
Detention has become the default treatment for people seeking asylum, with the numbers of immigrants detained skyrocketing in recent years. Detention is costly to taxpayers and has a devastating impact on people’s mental health and safety. It doesn’t have to be this way. The vast majority of immigrants appear voluntarily for their court appearances. When immigrants are enrolled in community-based welcoming programs that provide case management and access to legal representation, their court appearance rates are nearly 100 percent.
Get Involved.
Have You Or Someone You Love Gone Through The Asylum Process In The US?
We strive to build a country that respects the humanity of people seeking asylum and to lift the voices of those who are most impacted. Share your story.
Call On President Biden To Adopt A More Humane Approach To The Asylum Process At The Southern Border.
The Biden Administration promised to rebuild more humane systems at the border. Share your perspective on why President Biden must deliver on his promises by recording your video.
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