Apr 15, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Castro: Asylum seekers deserve their day in court

Ivana Saric

Axios reporter Russ Contreras in conversation with Rep. Joaquin Castro — Photo: Axios

The U.S. should do away with Title 42, a Trump-era policy for quickly expelling people at the border, and instead allow migrants to petition for ayslum as quickly as possible, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said during an Axios virtual event on Thursday.

Why it matters: The policy, Castro said, denies many people seeking asylum the right to due process, and instead the Biden administration should focus on improving its capacity to process migrants flows and reunite people with their families or sponsors in the U.S.

What they're saying: "We need to be able to properly allow people, as soon as possible, to petition for asylum."

[U]nder Title 42, under public health, folks are being summarily expelled... they're not being given any consideration or due process with respect to their asylum tissue, except for unaccompanied minors and a limited number of families."
"The Biden administration needs to be able to build up the capacity to handle the flow of asylum seekers, move them to their family and relatives sponsors quickly, and also do away with Title 42."
" [G]ive these people their day in court to be considered for asylum."

Watch the full event here.

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Rep. Castro: Asylum seekers deserve their day in court

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