FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 9, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: clarke.comms@mail.house.gov

c: 347.387.5123

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent announcement on its new border enforcement actions, which effectively expands Title 42 while the Administration’s moratorium on the policy is under judicial review:

“As the daughter of immigrants and a woman who has dedicated her life towards securing their fair and equitable access to the American dream, I have long pursued reform in a desperately out-of-date immigration system. Unfortunately, the recently announced reforms from President Biden and his administration fail to deliver the change migrant communities deserve and have prayed for. Moreover, these insufficient solutions have permitted the cruel and oppressive legacy of the Trump-era Title 42 policy to persist. I am far from alone in finding that tragic fact unacceptable. This harmful policy has for years disproportionately impacted Black migrants and created life-threatening conditions for immigrants seeking refuge at our borders. It has denied them due process entitled to them by law and the opportunity provided to them by America. The time has come for reform that is centered in equity and moral responsibility, so we may compassionately and safely welcome new Americans to our country – in accordance with this country’s founding principles. But let me be clear: our nation owes these individuals and families more than the apologies and empty words they are so tragically accustomed to. They deserve our promise for a better, more accepting, more loving future. They deserve an America to call home. And I intend for them to have both. I urge President Biden to re-evaluate his administration’s decision,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

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Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is a Senior Member of both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Committee on Homeland Security, where she serves as Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation Subcommittee.