While Future of Title 42 Remains Uncertain, Save the Children Stands Ready to Welcome Migrants along U.S.-Southern Border and Continue to Work with Policymakers to Ensure More Humane Asylum System

“Many of the children and families seeking refuge within our borders are fleeing unimaginable violence and disasters. Officials at the state and federal levels should be focused on improving our asylum system and offering these migrants the assistance they deserve.”

Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2022) – The court order to lift Title 42, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) order that allowed U.S. border officials to expel millions of migrants and asylum seekers under the guise of public health, has been appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. Save the Children stands ready to welcome asylum-seekers along the U.S.-Southern Border and – together with its political advocacy arm Save the Children Action Network – continue to advocate for Title 42 to be lifted. 

“While the future of Title 42 remains uncertain, we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will dismiss the appeal to keep Title 42 in place, ending this harmful policy once and for all,” said Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children. “Seeking asylum is a basic human right. Many of the children and families seeking refuge within our borders are fleeing unimaginable violence and disasters. Officials at the state and federal levels should be focused on improving our asylum system and offering these migrants the assistance they deserve.”

Save the Children, in partnership with a network of shelters and social service agencies across the length of the U.S.-southern border, is ready to welcome migrants and support any increased humanitarian needs that may arise. 

With the help of more than 30 partners, Save the Children is providing newly-arrived families with essentials – including food, water, safe shelter, cash assistance, medical care and referrals, hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes and clothing – as well as travel assistance so they can safely reach their sponsor or family in the U.S., and legal assistance, particularly to prevent family separation. Save the Children is also equipping shelters with supplies to prepare safe play areas for children, and areas for mothers to feed and care for their babies – as well as providing technical guidance and training to ensure children are safe and emotionally supported during their stay. 

“We stand ready to work with partner organizations, border communities, and the U.S. government to ensure all needs at the border are met, and that alternative, anti-asylum policies are not adopted,” continued Soeripto. “I wholeheartedly believe the U.S. has the capacity and compassion to become, once again, a safe-haven for the persecuted. Now is the time to act.”

In addition to advocacy and programmatic efforts, Save the Children is supporting humanitarian coordination along the border through the U.S.-Mexico Border Alliance – linking resources to need – and leading the U.S.-Mexico Children’s Working Group, strengthening the capacity of borderland communities to meet the needs of asylum-seeking children and families. 

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.