We Don’t Need More of Trump’s Failed Border Policies

refugees welcome

WASHINGTONWin Without War Executive Director Sara Haghdoosti released the following statement after the President announced sending 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border:

“This week, the President called for migrants seeking safety at our southern border to be met with military might. 1,500 troops will not keep children warm, comfort mothers, or feed any families at the border. It definitely will not make the United States any safer. The only thing continued border militarization will accomplish is to underscore how much more the Biden administration could do to reverse the Trump administration’s violent and dehumanizing border policies.

“Instead of repeating Trump’s failed policies, we must establish a human-rights first approach to border governance and improve life saving protections in our asylum process. The real crisis at the border is the humanitarian catastrophe caused by U.S. policy. Even in administrative roles, armed troops cannot address that crisis, only exacerbate it – especially considering the trauma many people are fleeing from.

“The administration recently announced more regional processing centers – a policy that acknowledges there is no military solution to people fleeing violence. We call on the President to reverse his decision on sending troops to the border and take more steps toward fixing our broken asylum system. Any claims the troops will make the system more functional rather than more violent ring hollow – Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas already alluded to using the additional troops to expedite inhumane deportations. All humans deserve dignity and this escalation compromises this basic value.”

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Win Without War is a diverse network of activists and national organizations working for progressive foreign policy in the United States.