WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Tuesday the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights released the following statement from Executive Director Gladis Molina in response to President Joe Biden’s executive action to shut down the border and bar access to asylum to migrants seeking safety at the U.S. border: 

“Today's executive action by President Biden is a clear political statement intended to show that he is tough on immigration. Rather than propose real solutions to the decades-long humanitarian challenges of immigration, this action will put families and children in direct harm’s way by increasing the likelihood they will be forced to separate or be sent back to the exact dangers they fled without a fair opportunity to request protection in the United States. 

Although these restrictions do not apply to unaccompanied children, the ban—just like policies enacted by Biden’s predecessor—will force parents and families traveling with their children to make the impossible choice between sending their children alone to the border or remaining together in life-threatening danger. This is a reality that we witnessed during the Remain in Mexico policy. 

As an organization on the frontlines of advocating for immigrant children and their families, we strongly oppose today’s executive action. Seeking asylum is a right that our country has an obligation to honor. Closing the border and ending access to asylum will once again put children in harm’s way and is not a reflection of American values.” 

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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first.