Senator Alex Padilla met with civil organizations that help and defend asylum seekers, to whom he expressed his commitment to an immigration reform that offers a safe income to the United States to these people who flee violence and seek a better quality of life.
By Jesus Garcia | La Opinion | SEP. 1, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Senator Alex Padilla
Democratic Senator Alex Padilla (California), president of the Senate Judicial Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security, expressed to civil organizations in San Diego, California, his commitment to defending a safe arrival for immigrants seeking asylum or refuge in the United States.
"I continue to be committed to restoring the legal processing of asylum seekers at the border and to establish legal avenues for migrants to arrive safely, in accordance with the most deeply rooted values of the United States as a nation of immigrants," Padilla said.
The Democrat thanked the work of the organizations working in California in favor of immigrants, while acknowledging the importance of achieving a "fairer" immigration system.
"While we work to rebuild a fairer, more orderly and humane immigration system, the federal government must strengthen our partnership and support the work of local NGOs and advocacy groups throughout our border communities," he said.
Michael Hopkins, executive director of the San Diego Jewish Family Service, highlighted the importance of networks between civil organizations that offer different services for immigrants, who "flee violence and persecution."
"These efforts are only possible with the constant collaboration between local community partners and government leaders," Hopkins said. "Senator Padilla has long supported the rights of immigrants, and we hope to continue our work with Senator Padilla and Congress to reimagine and rebuild a human immigration system."
Paulina Reyes, managing lawyer of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, also thanked Senator Padilla for his support, while adding to the need for "solutions" in favor of asylum seekers.
Monika Langarica, a lawyer at the Center for Immigration Policy and Law (CILP) at UCLA's Faculty of Law, joined the urgency of looking for "creative paths" to help immigrants.
"Too many people looking for security in the United States. The United States continues to be traumatized by harmful and restrictive border policies," Langarica said. "Here on the border and throughout the country, we need a system that prioritizes the rights, dignity and well-being of individuals and families seeking asylum."
Title 42 continues to operate at the border, which allows immigration officers to expel or deport immigrants without the right to asylum, a policy imposed by former President Donald Trump, but maintained by the Administration of President Joe Biden, due to court orders.
