Immigration

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas wears a dark suit and red tie while sitting in the East Room of the White House.

Republicans Are Calling to Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Here’s Why Their Case is Bunk

The arguments to impeach Sec. Mayorkas boil down to disapproval of the Biden administration’s relaxation of Trump-era immigration policies.

Mar. 13, 2023 Frank O. Bowman, III

Asylum seekers wait at a fence to cross into the United States at El Chaparral crossing port on the US/Mexico Border in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on February 29, 2020.

Troubling Signs in Biden Administration’s Recent Efforts to Reimplement Migrant Protection Protocols Program

"Understanding the significance of the [Supreme Court's Migrant Protection Protocol] ruling ... will be key for the administration to mount the strongest possible defense for the…

Feb. 21, 2023 Tom Jawetz

US President Joe Biden walks with El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser along the US-Mexico border wall

Biden’s Embrace of Trump’s Transit Ban Violates US Legal and Moral Refugee Obligations

"The new transit ban would violate the United States’ protection obligations to refugees, which are long-standing and solidly based in both international and domestic law."

Feb. 8, 2023 Karen Musalo

Close-up of a handshake of two politicians after negotiations on a blue background with a US flag

Toward a Values-Based Foreign Policy: Developing an Ethical Checklist

The Biden administration can do more to develop and implement a “values-based” approach to foreign policy.

Jan. 4, 2023 Ambassador Peter Mulrean (ret.) and William J. Hawk

Bus faces the camera in foreground. Dome of US Capitol Building in background.

In Weaponizing Asylum Seekers, DeSantis & Abbott Unwittingly Demonstrate the Possibility of Safe Transit Policies for Migrants

Ironically, the governors' actions show that the US could implement policies that better reflect the realities of migration - by treating migrants has human beings rather than…

Sep. 30, 2022 Jaya Ramji-Nogales

A collage of two images. The left depicts Ron DeSantis, and the right depicts groups of immigrants waiting on line.

Was DeSantis Shipping Migrants to Martha’s Vineyard a Crime?

"Our analysis may be a useful guide – for criminal investigators, press, potential whistleblowers or witnesses, the public and other stakeholders."

Sep. 26, 2022 Norman L. Eisen and Fred Wertheimer

An Afghan woman and man walk with children along an airplane strip in the night.

The World Should Protect Afghan Refugees Fleeing the Taliban’s Oppression

The international community must urgently do more to help Afghan refugees.

Aug. 30, 2022 Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari

People demonstrate for the liberation of 13 convicted environmentalists with a banner depicting murdered Honduran environmental leader Berta Caceres as they arrive for a hearing in the country's capital, Tegucigalpa, on February 28, 2019. Thirteen environmental leaders of the Guapinol community, Tocoa municipality, Colon department, who oppose the mining exploitation of the Montana de Botaderos National Park by the company Inversiones Los Pinares, were arrested on charges of usurpation, burning, aggravated theft and illicit association. (Photo by ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP via Getty Images)

The US Must Help Fight the Criminalization of Activism in Central America, Not Make It Worse

Without safeguards, promoting private-sector investment to slow migration risks fueling a crisis for human rights defenders.

Aug. 22, 2022 Rachel Margolis

Image: A group of about 12 men, all wearing white cowboy hats, sit around a conference table. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sits at the end of the table, speaking, in front of the seal of the state of Texas and flanked by American and Texas flags. AUSTIN, TX - JULY 10: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a border security briefing with sheriffs from border communities at the Texas State Capitol on July 10, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The Biden Administration’s Options for Responding to Abbott’s Unconstitutional Border Enforcement Executive Order

The Texas governor has invoked war powers to respond to migrant arrivals at the border - potentially usurping federal prerogatives.

Jul. 13, 2022 Katherine Yon Ebright and Joseph Nunn

Immigrants from Ecuador warm themselves by a fire after sunrise along a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border barrier, as they await processing by the U.S. Border Patrol, after crossing from Mexico on May 22, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona.

The Absurdity and Destruction of the Push to Force Title 42 Continuation

"The forced continuation of Title 42 serves to prevent border officers from upholding immigration law, and leads to more disorder, human suffering, and the subversion of law."

Jul. 1, 2022 Eleanor Acer

An immigrant mother from Colombia embraces her daughter and husband after traveling for 20 days and crossing the U.S.-Mexico border barrier on May 20, 2022 in Yuma, Arizona.

Title 42 is a Failure Yet Still Dominates U.S. Border Policy

The Biden administration must do more to defend and implement its decision to finally end Title 42.

Jun. 24, 2022 My Khanh Ngo and Shaw Drake

Asylum seekers wait for news outside El Chaparral port of entry on the US-Mexico border in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on March 19, 2020. It is raining and some carry umbrellas.

Western Hemisphere Migration is a Long-Term Challenge

The Biden administration hosts the Summit of the Americas next week. The region cannot afford to wait until 2026 for the next high-level convening.

Jun. 3, 2022 Carrie Cordero and Cris Ramón