Republicans in the United States Congress are proposing a package deal that would provide military aid to Ukraine in exchange for stricter migration and asylum policies. This proposal has raised concerns among advocates, particularly as some leading Democrats seem to be considering compromising on the issue.
Demonstrators from various advocacy groups gathered near the US Capitol for a “Save Asylum” campaign to urge lawmakers to not sacrifice asylum protections as part of any spending deal. They expressed worries about the potential impact on the community, emphasizing that real lives are at stake.
Top Democrats and the White House have signaled willingness to make concessions on immigration in return for a $110 billion aid package. However, talks between Republican and Democratic senators have failed to reach a breakthrough, leading to concerns among asylum rights supporters.
Senator Alex Padilla expressed alarm at what was emerging from the closed-door discussions, calling it a page out of the failed Trump border plan. The negotiations have reportedly included proposals to make asylum interviews more restrictive, allowing authorities to quickly expel those crossing the border without humanitarian screenings, and making it easier to deport migrants who have been in the US for fewer than two years.
Advocates and elected officials warned that the strict measures being weighed by Congress members could end up being codified into law, making them much harder to challenge. They emphasized the importance of asylum and called on the government to advance policies that prioritize immigrants’ rights as human rights and push back against harmful proposals.