MANCHESTER – Advocates gathered in Manchester on Tuesday evening to urge U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, to end her opposition to lifting Title 42, and to call on New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation to protect the rights of asylum seekers and promote humane immigration policies.

A small group of advocates gathered outside Hassan’s Elm Street office holding signs and projecting messages on to the building.

The group took turns speaking and chanting. As vehicles drove by on the busy street, some people honked in support and some yelled negative comments.

The group passed out educational flyers about Title 42 and called for humanitarian response to asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border, and an end to harmful policies such as Title 42, detention and deportation. 

“Everyone deserves to live in safety and peace – no matter where they were born or how they came to the United States,” explained Grace Kindeke, NH Program Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee, and one of the organizers of the action. “But politicians across the political spectrum continue to block policies that would keep families and communities together.” 

Just last month, Senator Hassan signed onto a letter extending Title 42, the Trump-era policy that prevents immigrants from seeking asylum at the United States’ border, according to Kindeke.

“We are asking Senator Hassan to end her support for Title 42 because of its clearly documented harmful impact on immigrant communities and families. The people coming here are running away from war, violence, natural disasters, dictatorships and insecurity. Most importantly, people are coming to access a dignified life. Just like the Senator’s ancestors, our community is seeking a safe haven. Offering people safety is the right thing to do.” said Sebastian Fuentes, a Peruvian immigrant, U.S. citizen and organizer with Rights & Democracy NH.