Responding to the United States announcement that the country will imminently close its border with Mexico and Canada, Charanya Krishnaswami, the Advocacy Director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA, said:
“It’s hard to imagine travel more essential than the journey an asylum-seeker makes to flee persecution. Yet today’s restrictions, which empower the US to push back people who lack proper documentation, may inexcusably prevent asylum-seekers and unaccompanied children – two of the populations at greatest risk of danger – from accessing safety.
“This is cruel, short-sighted, and opportunistic. Every person has the right to seek safety. Full stop.”
To schedule an interview or for further background, contact Mariya Parodi at [email protected]
More information:
Trump administration using coronavirus pandemic to justify discriminatory ban on asylum-seekers at southern border (news statement, March 18, 2020)