Border & Asylum

Overview

Seeking asylum is a fundamental legal and human right, enshrined in both U.S. and international law. The United States has a long history of providing a haven for refugees and people seeking safety from persecution.

However, the border has become dangerously politicized with presidents from both parties undercutting the efficacy and fairness of our asylum system. Sadly, it is now common course for politicians and elected officials to abandon practical policy solutions that would uphold the country’s laws and improve our immigration system for the better. Instead, they spread fear and misinformation about the border, demonizing immigrants and putting people’s lives in danger.

Why It Matters

The United States has a responsibility to uphold international agreements and its own laws. Policies that tear families apart, incarcerate children, undermine due process, and encourage racial profiling of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike are not moral, legal, or economically sound.

At a time of record levels of migration across the globe as a result of war, climate disasters, and gender-based violence, the United States has the capability and responsibility to operate a humane and orderly immigration system. What’s more, we have the opportunity to modernize our immigration system in a way that harnesses the potential of migration to strengthen our country and economy.

At the National Immigration Law Center, we are committed to defending the legal right to seek asylum, standing up to states that use punitive enforcement measures, and offering proactive, commonsense solutions that respect human dignity and will serve our country in the long run.

Examples of Our Work

• We challenge gross mistreatment of immigrants in Customs and Border Protection custody, setting standards that must be followed going forward.
• We advocate in Congress to shape solutions-based legislation and to stop attacks before they become law. We hold administrations of both parties to account, whether it’s fighting policies like Title 42 or Remain in Mexico under a Biden or Trump presidency.
• We sue to stop unjust state laws, like Texas’ S.B. 4 and Oklahoma’s HB 4156, which both seek to usurp federal authority and would have devastating consequences for people in both states.
• We work in coalition to support states and local communities in welcoming new arrivals with dignity.