The U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed a new asylum change targeting asylum seekers who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border with criminal or security concerns.
This proposed regulation would empower asylum officers to swiftly deny claims for migrants convicted of serious crimes or posing national security threats, expediting the process from years to days.
While the measure is expected to apply to thousands annually, it constitutes a fraction of the 1 million individuals caught crossing illegally from October 2023 to March 2024.
This move represents a shift in President Biden‘s border security approach, which initially promised a more humane stance compared to his predecessor.
Amid mounting immigration concerns and electoral pressure, Biden has taken a tougher stance, aligning with certain policies of former President Trump.
While Biden has contemplated executive actions to curb asylum seekers, this regulation signifies a significant step toward tightening border security without resorting to such measures.
The proposed regulation is set to be issued on Monday and open for public comment for 30 days, with the administration aiming for its finalization later this year.
Asylum officers will now assess during initial screenings whether asylum seekers could have found safety elsewhere in their home country instead of migrating to the U.S.
These measures follow previous restrictive asylum regulations implemented by the Biden administration last year.
The move underscores the administration’s efforts to balance humanitarian concerns with border security, addressing public safety while facing the complexities of immigration policy.
With immigration emerging as a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections, Biden’s administration is strategically adapting its approach to meet both security imperatives and political demands.
