IT’S BARBARIC TO USE RAZOR WIRE TO DROWN ASYLUM SEEKERS
QUICK READ: What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? Until Congress reforms our dysfunctional immigration system, the answer is “America.”
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
America, a nation of immigrants, has the most foreign-born residents, but we desperately need even more to sustain economic growth. Instead, we’re militarizing immigration, at the cost of $26 billion so far this year.
On the Governor’s orders, Texans are committing crimes against humanity. Razor wire strung across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing has injured ensnared children and a miscarrying mother, and officers are pushing them back into the water, leaving them to drown.
The Biden administration’s also behaving illegally, simply repackaging unlawful Trump-era policies. Turning away foreigners at the southern border without allowing them to request asylum has been found by a court to violate both domestic and international law.
These atrocities stem from Congress’ refusal to reform and adequately fund our broken, dysfunctional immigration system that serves none adequately.
Although America lacks workers for the jobs our growing economy requires, over the last 20 years we’ve deported 5+ million simply for being undocumented, and Dreamers or others who came as children are kept in legal limbo. At the same time, companies are increasingly committing child labor violations, exposing immigrant youths to dangerous working conditions.
We must end, once and for all, this immigration system that kills, persecutes, and daily violates people’s human rights. Congress must act now.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. A good place to start is S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
*SEN. WYDEN:* Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. A good place to start is S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. A good place to start is S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What kind of nation keeps out asylum seekers with treacherous razor wire that can kill those it ensnares? Or sets up insurmountable barriers to prevent them from claiming asylum in violation of US and international law? To ensure that’s not us, Congress must reform our dysfunctional immigration system. You can start by cosponsoring a companion bill to S.2606, which would greatly expand the number of documented immigrants eligible for green cards.
FURTHER READING
Texas troopers told to push children into Rio Grande, records say
Federal Judge Blocks Biden Administration’s New Asylum Policy
DACA Passed 11 Years Ago: Undocumented Youth Remain in Limbo
Cut off from DACA, new generation faces uncertain futures
Over decades, Congress failed repeatedly to address immigration dysfunction
US executives call for immigration reform to staff manufacturing boom
Fix Our Immigration System? First We Have to Get a Grip
