The Biden administration wants to stop the influx of migrants to its southern border once measures related to the Covid pandemic are lifted. On Tuesday, he proposed new restrictions on asylum seekers.
New rules the government wants would require asylum seekers to apply in advance, not after arriving in the U.S., or they would be considered ineligible for asylum. Immigrants who want to come to the U.S. must apply for asylum online through the official CBP One app and request an appointment to see U.S. officials or first claim asylum in the country they are crossing to reach the U.S. border. They will use a system already in place for migrants from Ukraine, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti.
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The rules will take effect after the repeal of a pandemic-related measure known as “Title 42” that allows immediate deportation of immigrants without visas, even asylum seekers. It is scheduled for May 11. According to officials, the new rules are temporary and will expire after 24 months. But they didn’t say what they would be replaced with
Actions criticized by immigrant rights defenders
The rules, which are filed in the Federal Register for 30 days before being used, appear to be a partial return to a stricter rule introduced by Joe Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, that was eventually overturned by the courts.
read more: The Supreme Court has upheld a Trump-era move to block immigrants at the border
But the Biden administration argues that absent congressional action, it’s the only way to manage the border, where up to 200,000 people try to cross each month, most asking for permission.
“This administration will not allow massive chaos and disorder at the border because Congress has failed to act,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
The proposed measures have been heavily criticized by immigrant rights advocates. They will “close the door to countless refugees seeking safety and security in the United States,” said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America. “This policy is illegal, immoral and will have a terrible impact on children, women and men seeking protection.”
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