Tell Congress immigrants should be welcomed, not turned away

We need a fair and equitable approach to immigration, not a border closure! [AFSC logo]( [TAKE ACTION]( We need a fair immigration system, not a border closure! Dear Friend, Everyone deserves a chance to build a good life, free from persecution and violence. Regardless of where someone is born, why they came to the U.S., or when or how they arrived, everyone should have the opportunity to thrive here. But today, President Biden announced a new policy to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border simply because people are coming. This does nothing to address the dysfunction in our immigration system. And it will only cause further harm and suffering. [Urge lawmakers to create a fair and equitable approach to immigration—and oppose the new executive order.]( Immigration is being used as a tool to divide us, especially in this election season. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act is an example of a time when Congress came together to make changes to our immigration system. Many of these changes made our communities stronger, resilient, and more inclusive. They were also good for our economy. And it can happen again now. [Send a message to Congress today.]( Urge them to: - Welcome people with dignity: People who migrate should be welcomed—not met with barbed wire or prisons. Their basic human needs should be met. And their human and civil rights should be respected. That includes keeping families together. - Protect the right to seek asylum: We need fair, orderly, accessible, and humane processes for people to request asylum or other forms of protection.   - Offer paths to citizenship: Opportunities to pursue citizenship should be equally available to all immigrants, regardless of where they were born or when they came. People who desire to return to their home countries should also be able to do so safely, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.  - Ensure everyone can meet basic needs, regardless of status: Everyone should have access to a living wage, health care, education, and decent housing. Employment opportunities should be open to all. And everyone’s labor rights should be protected. - Value immigrant leadership: Immigrants are leading efforts to build resilient communities for everyone. Their efforts should be recognized and supported.  - Help people live safely wherever they are: No one should be forced to migrate because they can’t meet basic needs or because of violence, inequitable economic policies, climate degradation, or other forms of injustice. Migration should be a choice for all of us. The U.S. should not contribute to these injustices anywhere in the world. [Join us in telling Congress to create a welcoming and accessible system. Urge them to support fair policies that let people come to the U.S., build new lives, and be part of our communities.]( In peace, Amy Gottlieb U.S. Migration Director [TAKE ACTION]( American Friends Service Committee 1501 Cherry Street Philadelphia, PA 19102 United States [Facebook]( X([Twitter)]( [Instagram |]( [News]( If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](.