Courtesy
President Joe Biden announced an immediate halt to asylum processing at the U.S.-Mexico border when illegal entries surpass 2,500 per day, a significant policy change amid criticism from Republicans over rising new arrivals. With current entries at approximately 4,000 daily, this measure aims to curb large-scale immigration but has raised concerns among advocates about the safety of migrants and potential violations of international obligations. Legal challenges to the policy are expected. The measure would halt asylum processes until daily illegal crossing arrests drop below 1,500 for a consecutive week, a figure last seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike past restrictions under Title 42, denied asylum seekers will now face deportation orders, risking criminal prosecution and multi-year entry bans if they attempt to re-enter. Furthermore, migrants can express fears for their safety to U.S. asylum officers but under stricter standards than before. Questions remain about the logistical feasibility, as Mexico will only accept a limited number of non-Mexican deportees, and there are significant barriers to deporting migrants to distant countries. Unaccompanied children are exempt from these rules, potentially encouraging families to send minors alone. Mexico plays a crucial role in assisting the U.S. with immigration challenges. The U.S. faces difficulties deporting people to over 100 countries due to limited funding, diplomatic leverage, and logistical hurdles. A 1997 court ruling restricts the detention of families with children under 18 to 20 days, complicating efforts to deport them swiftly. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also limited by funding, with resources to detain only about 34,000 single adults at a time. Mexico has agreed to accept up to 30,000 individuals monthly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, but not from other countries. Additionally, Mexico has tightened measures to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S. border by limiting travel on freight trains and buses, which has resulted in many migrants being stranded in Mexican cities. Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s foreign relations secretary, stated that the country would not permit more than 4,000 illegal entries daily. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is expected to maintain current policies. Previous efforts to deter asylum seekers under the Biden and Trump administrations had limited success due to resource constraints. A specific rule under the Immigration and Nationality Act used by both administrations has been contested by advocacy groups. Original Text by Elliot Spagat, published in -> Chapelboro.
More Stories
Crypto Remittances Skyrocket as Migration Crisis Worsens
Los retos que tendrá el próximo presidente de Venezuela
Venezuelan gang’s arrival shakes LatAm’s safest nation