FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 4, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jeanette.lenoir@mail.house.gov

c: 202.480.5737

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it would end the Trump-era Title 42 policy.

“As the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong advocate for their fair chance and access to the American dream, the Biden Administration’s decision to lift the harmful, malicious, and discriminatory policy that is Title 42 is a welcome blessing and one that I have long awaited. While this policy endured, countless hopeful migrants suffered under its authority as we circumvented our obligations under international and domestic law. This harmful policy disproportionately affected Black migrants and created life-threatening conditions for immigrants seeking refuge at our borders. Untold unaccompanied children, families, asylum seekers; none were spared the denial of due process entitled to them by law,” said Clarke. 

“Though it is difficult and perhaps impossible to undo this pain caused by Title 42, it is my hope that its end will signal the beginning of a national commitment to compassionately and safely welcome new Americans to our country. But let me be clear: our nation owes these communities, particularly the Haitian people who were disproportionately and vastly victimized under its cruelty, 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. And I intend to keep it.”

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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 the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she serves on the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, and is a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.