NEW YORK — Last week the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear Biden v. Texas, a case that would determine whether the Biden administration can exercise its discretionary control of border policy to discontinue the Migrant Protection Protocols, the “Remain in Mexico” program, and if newly-elected presidents have the power to implement their own new policy agendas. In reaction, T’ruah, a rabbinic human rights organization that represents over 2,300 rabbis and cantors and their communities in North America, urged the Court to rule in favor of humanity and dignity by allowing President Biden to repeal the dangerous policy. 

Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah, issued the following statement: 

“The Remain in Mexico policy has been and continues to be harmful, inhumane, extreme, and is a direct affront to our Jewish commitment to welcoming those in need of refuge. In October 2019, T’ruah rabbis traveled to the US-Mexico border and met individuals and families living in a cramped shelter in Mexico, sent there after attempting to apply for asylum in the United States, and fearful of stepping outside and into the hands of cartel members who prey on refugees. The global pandemic has only made these asylum seekers even more vulnerable, as they have no ability to distance from those who are infected and little access to health care. 

“The Talmud describes the sin of Sodom, the paradigmatic evil city, as cruelty to foreigners. 

‘[The people of Sodom] said: Since bread comes forth out of [our] earth, and it has the dust of gold, why should we suffer wayfarers, who come to us only to deplete our wealth? Come, let us abolish the practice of traveling in our land.’ (Sanhedrin 109a) Lot, Abraham’s nephew, is the one resident who opens his doors to travelers, who turn out to be divine messengers who rescue his family. 

“Per longstanding US policy prior to the Trump administration, those seeking asylum in the US should have the opportunity to await their hearings inside of the United States, without threat of deportation. In the meantime, they can stay with family members, friends, or within communities where they can enjoy far more safety than they would while trapped in Mexico. 

“The moral way forward is to welcome those seeking asylum from danger. President Biden has the power to reverse decisions made under the Trump administration and a ruling countering this ability will have sweeping repercussions beyond this issue. If the court decides to rule against the administration, asylum in our country would exist in name only, forcing all non-citizens including those seeking asylum to leave in their most urgent time of need. 

“The will of millions of voters who rejected Trump’s failed immigration policies should not be undermined by a single federal judge. The United States should not tamper with a person’s right to seek refuge.” 

 

T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights mobilizes a network of more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism that, together with the Jewish community, act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.

 

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