Immigration
Immigration advocates reject Biden's new asylum restrictions
The new norm assumes that those who "enter the United States without sufficient documents for their legal admission could not request asylum"
February 28, 2023 9:02am
Updated: February 28, 2023 9:04am
More than 100 immigrant rights groups are rejecting President Biden's new asylum policies, which restrict access at the U.S. southern border.
The new process, recently announced by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security mean that those who "enter the United States without sufficient documents for their legal admission could not request asylum."
The rule, viewed by many as a revival of President Donald Trump's policies, apply to immigrants who illegally cross Mexico's northern border, but excluded unaccompanied undocumented minors.
The Biden administration says the move was designed to encourage more immigrants to apply for asylum in their home countries before making the dangerous journey.
Biden officials expect the rule to go into effect in May, following a 30-day public comment period and after Title 42 of former President Donald Trump's notorious immigration policy is finalized.
Immigrant advocacy groups launched a website, noasylumban.us, to rally opposition to the policy and encourage detractors to contact the Biden administration.
Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, an immigration hawk, offered nuanced support for the new policy, NBCNews reported.
The move placed the Biden administration in a complicated political position as it tries to navigate through a surge at the border when Title 42 expires in May.
