New restrictions on asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border

2024-06-05 07:32:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

New restrictions on asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border

Illustrative photo

US President Joe Biden signed a new executive order on Tuesday that will temporarily limit the right to seek asylum at the US-Mexico border whenever the number of immigrants crossing illegally or without authorization reaches a daily average of 2,500 himself.

Under President Biden's executive order, those who enter the country illegally will not be eligible for asylum unless they have compelling reasons to remain in the United States.

"These measures will not fix our immigration system, but they can go a long way in helping us better manage this difficult challenge," President Biden said in a speech at the White House.

According to US officials, the temporary restrictions on the number of those who will be eligible to seek asylum will come into effect when an average of more than 2,500 immigrants enter the country and they will be suspended when this figure reaches below 1,500 people per day.

These restrictions are effective immediately. Data first reported by CBS News show that US Border Patrol officials detained 3,000 immigrants on May 20, and an average of 3,700 immigrants per day during the first 21 days of May.

Who is affected by President Biden's order?

All immigrants, regardless of nationality, who enter the United States illegally through the southern border are affected by this order.

While the restrictions are in place, immigrants who cross the southern border and are subject to expedited removal procedures will be referred for a credible screening to an asylum officer only if they fear they may be in danger if returned to their home country.

It's about "fear of persecution, torture, or one of the other conditions of the asylum application," a Department of Homeland Security official said Tuesday.

But it's not easy for immigrants to speak up because most of them don't speak English, immigrant rights activists say.

“They don't always speak English. They don't always know how to seek safety," Amy Fischer, director of refugee and immigrant rights at Amnesty International USA, told VOA.

The Department of Homeland Security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also addressed the issue of immigrant deportation.

"These measures will apply both to individuals from our hemisphere and to migrants from the eastern hemisphere. In terms of returns to Mexico, we will continue to deport nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, based on our previous agreement ", he said.

exception

Some immigrants are exempt from these restrictions, including unaccompanied children, victims of human trafficking, immigrants facing medical emergencies, and those with valid visas or permission to enter the United States.

Persons using legitimate entry processes, such as Customs and Border Protection's "CBP One" mobile app or other legitimate routes, will not be affected by this order.

Consequences

Those who cross illegally after these restrictions go into effect and do not have a reason to show that they may face persecution or torture in their home country will be “immediately removed and barred from entering the U.S. for a period of five years and may face criminal charges," said the Department of Homeland Security official.

Why now?

During a call with reporters, officials from the Department of Homeland Security and those from the Department of Justice said the restrictions were necessary because during the summer months there is usually an increase in the flow of immigrants at the southern border.

The tougher stance on border security is also a response to heightened concern about immigration among American voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

criticism

Some Republicans said President Biden issued this executive order because of the presidential election.

"We're just a few months away from Election Day, and the president hopes that issuing an executive order will show that he's concerned about this crisis and trying to find a solution to it," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Immigrant rights activists strongly criticized the order, calling it "a total destruction" of the protections offered by asylum policies.

Activist Fischer, from Amnesty International, said this executive order will prevent more people from accessing the asylum process and make it more difficult for people to articulate their claims.

"The order does not eliminate people who make false or ineffective asylum claims. It hits the most vulnerable people," Ms. Fischer added.

The American Civil Liberties Union said it will file a lawsuit against the restrictive measures of this order by President Biden.

"We intend to challenge this order in court. It was illegal when Mr. Trump did it, and it's not legal at all now," Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the Immigrant Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said in an email to reporters.

Officials in President Biden's administration disagree. They say the United States will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments.

"These steps will strengthen the asylum system, preventing it from being overwhelmed by those without legitimate claims. … But we are clear that today's executive actions are not a substitute for Congress trying to pass a tougher bill with bipartisan support in the Senate that would have significantly strengthened the current consequences of the illegal passage of the border", said the official of the Department of National Security./ Voa