Adopted by the Delegates Assembly, 2020
Click here for the PDF version.

JCPA believes that people should not be treated as criminals for seeking opportunities for a better life in the United States. They should be treated with dignity and not deprived of basic human rights, including health and safety. JCPA believes that any current public health policy that either excludes or punishes immigrants during the pandemic undermines the health and safety of everyone living in this country. Especially given our own experience as immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in America, the Jewish community relations field has an important role to play in protecting all immigrants, many of whom are among the most vulnerable and on the frontlines in essential sectors keeping our country running during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs believes that:

The Jewish community relations field should:

1 Dreamers includes both Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as well as those who are eligible for the program but have not applied.

3 U.S.C. § 1325 and § 1326 violations make up 65 percent of all criminal prosecutions in federal court. These laws enable the “zero tolerance” family separation policy, the “Operation Streamline” mass criminal trials, and, increasingly, the prosecution of asylum seekers found between Ports of Entry. Immigrants may still be subject to detention and/or deportation under the civil enforcement system, even if these laws are repealed. There is no evidence that criminal prosecutions deter migration. Click here for a fact sheet about decriminalization.

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