The Biden administration announced on Monday that it is implementing stricter asylum restrictions at the southern border. The administration is keen on demonstrating to the concerned voters that it is prioritizing border security and taking a firm stance on immigration.
The recently implemented rules, which strengthen the restrictions that were announced in June, prevent migrants from being granted asylum if U.S. officials determine that the southern border is overwhelmed.
Under the previous rules, the United States had the authority to limit asylum access when the number of migrants attempting to enter the country between official border crossings reached 2,500 per day. In order for the restrictions to be lifted, the average daily numbers had to fall below 1,500 per day for a week.
Starting Tuesday, the newly implemented changes will greatly increase the challenges of lifting restrictions, making it significantly harder for individuals to apply for asylum in the United States if they enter the country outside of official border crossings.
The restrictions imposed in June have remained in place without being lifted due to the persistent high numbers of border encounters. This raises the question of why the administration has decided to make them even more stringent at this time. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the seven-day average of migrant encounters per day has decreased to around 1,800.
According to a senior administration official, the reason for extending the timeline is to ensure that the decline in immigration is not just a temporary occurrence, but rather a sustained trend. The official, who wished to remain anonymous, briefed reporters about the stricter restrictions before they were announced to the public.
The restrictions announced in June faced sharp criticism from immigration advocates, who argued that the administration was undermining crucial protections for individuals seeking refuge from persecution.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association argues that the new rule amounts to an asylum ban and questions the effectiveness of the exceptions provided by the administration. According to the group, given the ongoing rate of border crossings, the asylum restrictions could potentially remain in place indefinitely.
The changes have raised profound concerns for the UN refugee agency, as it believes that blocking asylum access goes against international refugee law and the humanitarian principles that the United States has long upheld.
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“We haven’t shut down our asylum system,” stated the secretary.
Victims of a severe form of trafficking, however, would still have the opportunity to apply for asylum.
People using the CBP One appointment system can also apply for asylum. However, they are required to schedule an appointment on the app and present themselves at an authorized border crossing point.
The administration has been promoting the use of the app as an alternative to illegal border crossings for migrants.
Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of available appointments, with the demand far surpassing the current daily quota of 1,450. Regrettably, there has been no indication from the administration about any plans to increase the number of appointments to meet this overwhelming demand.
The administration has been promoting its asylum restrictions, claiming that these measures have resulted in significant decreases in the influx of migrants at the southern border. According to the Department of Homeland Security, ever since the changes were announced in June, the number of individuals encountered by Border Patrol on a daily basis between the legal border crossings has decreased by over 50%.
DHS has issued a statement urging Congress to take further action in addressing immigration issues.
Border security and immigration are significant challenges for the Biden administration and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and other members of his party have continuously criticized the significant influx of migrants at the southern border during the Biden administration. They argue that the White House, along with Vice President Harris, have not taken sufficient measures to control migration and ensure border security.
During her first visit to a border region in Arizona as the Democratic nominee, Harris strolled along the towering metal fence that separates the United States from Mexico. Expressing her commitment to addressing immigration issues, she emphasized the need to strengthen asylum regulations while advocating for a more efficient and inclusive process for legal immigration.
In her statement, Harris firmly dismisses the notion that we are forced to select between two options: protecting our border or establishing a system that is organized, secure, and compassionate. She confidently asserts that it is indeed possible to accomplish both objectives simultaneously.
