Rep. Ilhan Omar Condemns President Biden’s New Immigration Executive Order

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued a forceful statement condemning President Biden’s latest executive order on immigration, which significantly limits the number of individuals who can legally seek asylum in the United States.

“I am deeply disappointed that President Biden issued this cruel executive order. Today, President Biden has signaled to the world that we will turn our back on those suffering from global catastrophe to appease the far-right who will never be satisfied,” Omar said.

The executive order, which has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and progressive lawmakers alike, aims to reduce the number of people eligible to seek asylum. This move, according to Omar, undermines the core values of the United States and breaches both U.S. and international laws that safeguard the right to seek asylum.

“The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right, a right enshrined in U.S. and international law,” Omar stated. She emphasized that a genuine solution to the ongoing border crisis should involve creating more and faster legal pathways for immigrants, rather than dismantling existing asylum protections. “If we are serious about addressing the border crisis, the way to do that is to create more and quicker legal pathways, not to gut asylum laws.”

Omar, who is herself a refugee, highlighted the personal and moral implications of the executive order. “We have a moral obligation to establish a just immigration system that welcomes and protects all human beings, not stop the asylum process. This executive order flies in the face of basic morality and will be one of the most restrictive border policies in modern history.”

Drawing a parallel to the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump, Omar urged her colleagues and the public to hold the Biden administration accountable. “Just as we condemned Donald Trump for his disastrous immigration policies, we must call out this egregious xenophobic order.”

Rep. Omar concluded her statement with a plea for President Biden to reconsider his position. “As a refugee in this country, I know what this executive order means for so many innocent people hoping for a better life. I hope President Biden reverses course.”

The response from Rep. Omar underscores the growing tension within the Democratic Party regarding immigration policy, with progressives demanding a more humane and inclusive approach. The executive order is expected to face legal challenges and continued opposition from immigrant rights organizations.