Fundamental freedoms that can be enjoyed by all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, or national origin. - Trump Bolsters Regulations on Bid for Mexican Border Asylum
During his re-election campaign, U.S. President Joe Biden implements stricter regulations for migrants illegally crossing the border from Mexico. Biden stated in Washington, "I'm doing what the Republicans in Congress won't do: I'm taking the necessary steps to secure our border."
Earlier, the White House released a presidential proclamation that revoked the ability of migrants to file asylum claims in specific cases. This resulted in criticism from human rights advocates and Republicans.
Under Biden's decree, migrants who cross the border illegally without explicitly applying for asylum will undergo faster and easier deportation. However, those who do claim asylum will face stricter checks by border officials and must demonstrate a "credible fear" of persecution or torture in their home country to be granted protection. The standards will not be the same as that of asylum seekers.
Biden accuses ex-President Donald Trump of manipulating immigration policies for political gain. "This is a cynical political move that leaves the American people behind, who don't expect us to use the border as a weapon, but to fix it," said the Democrat.
Biden prefers bipartisan collaboration to improve staffing and funding for relevant agencies, stating, "But the Republicans have left me no other choice." The Republicans have accused Biden of losing control of the border due to the high number of migrants.
The exceptions to Biden's decree include unaccompanied children, those who are seriously ill, and victims of human trafficking and direct threats. All others will either be returned to Mexico or to their home countries. Previously, asylum seekers were allowed to remain in the country until their court date – often many years into the future because of understaffed agencies.
The new regulation will take effect when the average number of daily illegal border crossings reaches 2,500. It will be revoked when this number falls below 1,500. Since the established threshold has been exceeded, the measures will come into force shortly after midnight.
The decree's feasibility raises several questions. The U.S. government relies on Mexico accepting deportees, but there are doubts about its willingness to do so. The current budget for additional border protection may not be sufficient, requiring Congress's approval for more funds. The legal basis could also be questionable, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announcing plans to file a suit against the decree.
The United Nations highlighted the importance of asylum rights. "Every person who claims to have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin should have access to safe territory and have their claim reviewed before being deported or expelled," said UN spokeswoman Florencia Soto Nino in New York.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called Biden's move a "political stunt" in the presidential election race. He believed the decree didn't provide any additional financial resources for border protection and didn't deport those who had already entered the U.S. illegally. Johnson also criticized immigration as a means of crossing the border.
The debate over immigration law reform has been contentious in the U.S. for years and plays a major role in the presidential election campaign. The authorities are under strain due to the overburdened judicial system and lack of resources for migrants. Republicans blame Biden for losing control over the southern border because of the high number of migrants, while Trump refers to it as an "invasion".
In his speech, Biden seems to distance himself from Trump's rhetoric. "I will never demonize immigrants," he said. "I will never state that they poison the blood of a country. And I will never separate children from their families at the border."
Mexico is the route of people fleeing their homeland due to poverty, violence, and political crises. According to the International Organization for Migration, this is the deadliest migration route globally. According to IOM statistics, 686 people died or went missing on this route in 2022. U.S. Border Patrol reported on Monday that injuries and deaths are increasing near El Paso, Texas, with four people said to have perished due to heat stroke and dehydration.
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- Vice President Kamala Harris, in her role as the Biden administration's point person on the border issue, is pushing for a decree to strengthen asylum regulations.
- This new decree from the White House will significantly impact the election campaign of Democratic candidate Joe Biden, focusing on human rights and border control.
- Mike Pence, former Vice President and potential Republican presidential candidate, condemned Biden's proposed decree, arguing it disregards the UN's conventions on migrant rights.
- The UN has expressed concern about Biden's decree, urging US authorities to ensure that asylum seekers undergo due process, including fair assessments of their asylum applications.
- Republican Senator Mike Lee has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at countering Biden's decree, to protect aspiring US citizens seeking asylum at the southern border.
- Following a series of court challenges, a federal judge ruled that Biden's decree infringes on the rights of asylum-seeking children and immigrants, prompting temporary modifications to the policy.
- Human rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have pledged to challenge Biden's decree in court over concerns for the welfare of migrant families seeking asylum.
- Asylum seekers crossing the border illegally will now face faster deportation under the new decree, but those who can demonstrate "credible fear" will be granted a hearing.
- The American Immigration Council, a pro-migrant advocacy group, criticized Biden's policy as a moral failure for ignoring the suffering of vulnerable migrants seeking refuge in the USA.
- In response to Biden's decree, some migrant advocacy groups called out UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, José Antonio Gutërres, to evaluate the new rule's implication on migrants' human rights.
- Siding with activists, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar condemned Biden's decree, urging him to demonstrate compassion by reforming asylum laws rather than enforcing harsher regulations.
- In an effort to address the asylum issue during the 2024 presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump emphasized the need for stricter immigration laws, emphasizing border protection as a priority.
