1. United States
2. Letter

The recent executive order denying asylum claims to most migrants crossing the border unlawfully is a concerning development that raises significant legal and humanitarian concerns. Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right enshrined in international law, and the United States, a nation built by immigrants, should uphold these principles. This measure will effectively bar countless individuals fleeing persecution, violence, and life-threatening circumstances from accessing the legal process to seek refuge in the United States. By raising the threshold for credible fear claims and subjecting migrants to expedited removal, the order undermines due process and the fundamental right to seek asylum. Furthermore, this policy contradicts the spirit of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, to which the United States is a signatory. These international treaties specifically prohibit imposing penalties on refugees for irregular entry or presence, as long as they present themselves without delay to authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry. Rather than erecting additional barriers, the United States should work towards a humane and orderly asylum system that upholds its commitments under international law and its proud tradition of providing safe haven to those fleeing persecution. Denying asylum claims en masse is not only legally dubious but also morally unacceptable, particularly for a nation built on the contributions of immigrants and refugees. I urge you to reconsider this executive order and instead pursue policies that respect the human rights of asylum seekers, while also addressing legitimate concerns about border management through lawful and humane means. The United States should lead by example in upholding the rights of the most vulnerable, not turn its back on those in dire need of protection.