A Message From the Center of Gender and Refugee Studies Oral Arguments in the Supreme Court

Tomorrow, we will stand before the Supreme Court to defend the Ninth Circuit’s decision affirming the government’s obligations to inspect and process people seeking asylum at our borders and allow them to pursue their claims in the United States.

Our case, Noem v. Al Otro Lado, challenges the government’s unlawful turnback policy, under which border officers physically blocked thousands of asylum seekers at ports of entry along the southern border—denying them their legal right to seek protection. Our message is clear: no administration can unilaterally slam the door on those fleeing persecution.

Watch the short video below to hear from our partners about why this moment matters.

If you’re in D.C., please join CGRS and the No Turning Back campaign tomorrow at 8:00 am ET on the front steps of the Supreme Court for an interfaith vigil and rally in support of people seeking asylum. If you can’t make it in person, you can listen to the oral argument livestream here, beginning around 11:00 am ET / 8:00 am PT.

The stakes of this case could not be higher. We will continue to fight for a fair asylum process that respects the rights and dignity of all people seeking refuge at our nation’s doorstep.

Thank you for standing with us.

In solidarity,

Melissa Crow

CGRS Director of Litigation

P.S. Listen to Claudia Rojas revisit her poem "Why Write?" ahead of Supreme Court arguments in our case Noem v. Al Otro Lado. Share it on Instagram here.