National Black Justice Coalition Applauds Biden/Harris Immigration Orders
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, in response to the news that President Joe Biden will take more executive action focused on reforming the United States immigration system, the National Black Justice Coalition released the following statement:
“Legal immigration can be especially hard for Black LGBTQ+/same gender loving people — and Biden’s new immigration policies are another important step in making our immigration system function better for all Americans,” said David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “Immigrants have always been an essential part of this country, and the immigration process should be accessible, clear and easy to navigate for all who want to come into the United States. Especially important is making the process easier for those fleeing persecution who cannot return to their country of origin — particularly those facing violence based on gender and/or sexual orientation.
“The National Black Justice Coalition applauds these improvements to our system, and looks forward to collaborating to ensure federal law will make these improvements and many others permanent.”
There are an estimated 4.2 million Black immigrants living in the US and 267,000 undocumented people who identify as LGBTQ. Black immigrants who faced persecution because they are LGBTQ+ are often without adequate resources for counsel and legal representation.
When Black LGBTQ+ immigrants or asylum seekers are detained, they often face high bond amounts. Transgender women are disproportionately detained in immigration centers, often housed with men, and are often victims of sexual assault and harassment. Black immigrants have to navigate the complex immigration system and deal with the racism, homophobia and transphobia present within the US.
