Rep. Ilhan Omar: Title 42 Is One of the ‘Unconstitutional, Harmful, and Immoral Policies of Trump’

HOST: “Something you know so well here, representative, and that is the difficulty when it comes to legislation specifically, getting all sides together on this very important topic of immigration here in the United States. And when that doesn’t happen, sometimes it comes from the White House. Title 42 is one of those issues that the president could move on, some that is from the previous president, also something that was previously from the former president is the so-called Muslim ban, where executive action was taken inconsistent with the spirit necessarily, as many have said, of the purpose of the Constitution and what this country stands for. Do you want more executive action when it comes to immigration from President Biden?”
OMAR: “The president ran on a promise to undo the unconstitutional harmful and immoral policies of Trump. And I would put title 42 in that category. I — I am pleased with the fact that he is offering some parole solutions for some of these migrants, but we have to again, remember that when we think about people seeking asylum, that that is in line with international law, and it certainly is in line with our laws. And we have a moral obligation to do the right thing here. And I do hope that the president uses, you know, his authority to get things done on behalf of the American people. Obviously, you know, Republicans want to continue to use the crisis at the border as a political pawn, but I think the president can take leadership and get everybody to the table to try to find a long-term solution. You have to remember that I am an immigrant myself, but before I immigrated to the United States under a refugee asylum status, I was somebody who crossed the border into a country. My family fled Somalia and we crossed the border to Kenya to seek refuge and Kenyans welcomed us with open arms. There were solutions to the problems that we were facing, and we did feel safe and secure. If countries like Kenya can figure out how to care for those that are fleeing devastation, I certainly hope that the United States can as well and be the example that it has been for generations.”