GreenLatinos Disheartened Over New Immigration Executive Order 

These new orders will hurt thousands of people who are fleeing war-torn and climate-disparaged communities in search of a better life.

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced executive actions that make it more difficult for migrants to receive asylum when reaching our Southern Border. GreenLatinos condemns this decision and calls upon the administration to rethink its position when it comes to asylum seekers.

In response to this news about executive action on asylum requests, GreenLatinos Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Director Irene Burga and GreenLatinos Texas Community Advocate Ana Esmeralda Gonzalez released the following statements:

“President Biden's executive order to shut down asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border is a devastating blow to our humanitarian values and climate justice. This policy disproportionately affects vulnerable Latino/a/e communities who are fleeing horrific living conditions, including violence, poverty, and climate change impacts. By turning our backs on those seeking refuge, we perpetuate a cycle of suffering and instability. We must advocate for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of migration, such as environmental degradation and socio-economic inequalities, rather than implementing punitive measures that further harm those in desperate need.” - Irene Burga, GreenLatinos Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Director.

“President Biden’s recent executive order restricting asylum requests when the U.S- Mexico border is ‘overwhelmed’ fails to address the root causes of the current increase in asylum seekers. As the effects of climate change worsen and become a heavier burden on frontline Latine communities, the Biden Administration should promote policies that encourage solutions to the environmental degradation and social injustices that force this migration instead of inciting fear. Rejecting asylum seekers is not a solution; it is a harmful failure to acknowledge and address the interconnected crises of climate change, violence, and systemic inequities,” said Ana Esmeralda Gonzalez, GreenLatinos Texas Community Advocate.

“We stand in solidarity with those seeking refuge and will continue to advocate for humane solutions and stronger environmental protections that reflect our values of justice and equity and allow Latine communities to remain in their homes. We urge the administration to reconsider this policy and to champion approaches that uphold our commitment to environmental and social justice.”

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GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.