Senate Democratic group says Biden’s proposed border policy violates US asylum law

Washington — A dozen Senate Democrats vehemently condemned the sweep border restrictions President Biden, who wants to deter immigration, told the administration in formal comments Monday that going forward with the proposal would violate U.S. asylum law.

Regulations proposed by the Biden administration would disqualify non-Mexican immigrants from asylum if they illegally cross the southern border after not seeking refuge in another country on their way to the United States. Record levels later this spring as pandemic-era border restrictions known as 42 expire.

But a group of Democratic senators called the proposed asylum restrictions “illegal” and “counterproductive,” thousand of immigration advocates and organizations, including united nations Refugee agencies formally requested the administration to withdraw the restrictions immediately.

Democratic lawmakers wrote in their comments opposing the proposed rule that the proposal, which is a “revised version” of the near-total ban on asylum briefly implemented by the Trump administration in 2020, was rejected in federal court.

“While we support the Administration’s goal of controlling immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border by creating new efficiencies in the asylum system, this rule will protect refugees fleeing persecution. violates the legal obligations of the United States and deprives Congress of its powers by adding illegal obstacles to asylum eligibility.” added the senator.

Public comments against Biden’s proposal were led by Senators Bob Menendez and Alex Padilla, with Ed Markey, Jeff Markley, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Patti Murray , Ron Wyden, Ben Cardin, Ray LeJean and Maggie Hirono who also signed Senator Ben.

The scathing accusations on most policy issues from 12 Democratic senators and White House supporters have reinforced Biden’s presidency amid an unprecedented immigration crisis along the southern border where immigrants are arriving. It shows the tricky political situation he found himself in two years in office. It attracted more attendees from more countries than ever before in U.S. history.

After a spike in border arrivals in late 2022, Mr. Biden announced in early January a review of the administration’s strategy for managing immigration. To deter illegal crossings, officials have increased the number of countries citizens can expeditiously return to Mexico under Title 42 if they enter the United States illegally.

U.S. border agents have deported hundreds of thousands of immigrants under Title 42 since the Trump administration invoked the Public Health Act in March 2020, but Mexican authorities have been unable to accept Cubans and Haitians. The United States could only deport Mexicans and some Central Americans to Mexico. , Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in January.

At the same time, the Biden administration is expanding opportunities for immigrants to enter the country legally, allocating U.S.-sponsored immigrants 30,000 spots each month on flights to the U.S., and allowing vulnerable immigrants in Mexico to cross official borders by phone. I was able to secure an appointment to enter the country. app.

With the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency set to trigger the end of Title 42 on May 11, the administration will allow immigrants to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border through proposed asylum restrictions. I plan to stop you from doing that. Those who cannot prove it are exempt from the rule.

Biden’s recent strategy so far has been: steep descent It faces the number of immigrants who illegally try to enter the United States across the Rio Grande and other unofficial crossings. severe criticism From Progressives and Republicans, albeit for different reasons.

Immigration advocates and some Democrats argue the new strategy relies on restrictive asylum policies similar to those enacted by former President Donald Trump. says it does not have the legal authority to accept tens of thousands of immigrants each month outside of the regular visa system.

The Biden administration has noted a decline in illegal border crossings since policy changes in January, saying criticism from Republicans does not align with their calls to reduce illegal immigration.

In response to progressive criticism, the administration dismissed accusations that its strategy resembled Trump-era policies and emphasized the creation of new legal immigration routes. It also contains broader humanitarian exemptions than the Trump administration’s attempt to disqualify immigrants from protected areas.