ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture™ (CVT) today issued this statement welcoming the Biden administration’s termination of use of Title 42.

“The Center for Victims of Torture welcomes the Biden administration’s decision to terminate the use of Title 42. The CDC’s Title 42 ban was utilized to prevent people from exercising their legal right to seek asylum for two years too long. The administration’s decision to finally end Title 42 comes following immense outcry from public health experts, elected officials and countless legal and immigrant rights advocates. The Center for Victims of Torture in Georgia, along with many other members of Atlanta’s public health, medical, legal and immigrants’ rights communities, has called for the CDC to end Title 42 repeatedly over the years.

“We also encourage the government to stop their use of Title 42 now instead of waiting until May 23 as stated. Migrants in search of safety have already waited far too long to be able to exercise their legal right to seek asylum. There is no reason why the government should wait another day to restore the asylum process for all, especially when the Biden administration has had 14 months to prepare for this decision. Human Rights First has documented nearly 10,000 instances of kidnapping, torture, sexual assault and murder as a result of the Title 42 ban. We know that every second that this policy remains in effect, the more lives are endangered.

“While ending the use of Title 42 is a step in the right direction, the Biden administration must use this opportunity to commit to rebuilding our asylum system in a just, humane manner which treats those seeking safety with dignity and respect they deserve. This commitment must include the cessation of the harmful “Remain in Mexico” program and the use of detention. Asylum-seekers are often fleeing persecution and violence, with an estimated 44% of asylum-seekers having experienced torture. Asylum-seekers deserve to be supported with adequate resources, counsel and care as they navigate the asylum system during an already traumatic time. A swell of service providers and humanitarian groups at the border stand ready to coordinate with the government to welcome those seeking refuge in the United States.”
-Darlene Lynch, head of external relations, CVT Georgia

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization with offices in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, United States and additional project sites around the world.

Visit www.cvt.org