The U.N.’s migration and refugee agencies have expressed concern over the Biden administration’s plans to enact new asylum restrictions in the United States, stating that the right to asylum is fundamental. President Joe Biden recently unveiled plans to impose immediate restrictions on migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to address immigration as a political issue ahead of the November elections. The move would prevent migrants from being granted asylum when officials determine that the southern border with Mexico is overwhelmed. This decision follows the collapse of a bipartisan border security deal in Congress, which was rejected by most Republican lawmakers at the urging of former President Donald Trump.
The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called on the U.S. to reconsider these restrictions, warning that they may deny access to asylum for many individuals in need of international protection. The agency emphasized that anyone claiming to have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin should have the opportunity to seek safety and have their claim assessed before facing deportation or removal. The U.N.’s International Organization for Migration also emphasized the importance of respecting the fundamental right to seek asylum and strengthening safe and regular migration pathways, particularly in light of increasing irregular crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Biden’s order on asylum restrictions will come into effect when the number of border encounters between ports of entry reaches 2,500 per day, according to senior administration officials. Given that current daily averages exceed this threshold, the order is expected to take effect immediately. The restrictions will remain in place until the daily encounter numbers drop to or below 1,500 per day between ports of entry, based on a seven-day average. This decision comes amid a global increase in migration, with millions of people fleeing various crises in search of safety and a better future. Wealthy countries, including the U.S., are facing pressure to restrict migration, with far-right populist parties leveraging anti-migration rhetoric to gain support in elections.
As the Biden administration moves forward with these asylum restrictions, the U.N. agencies are urging a reevaluation of the impact on individuals seeking international protection at the U.S.-Mexico border. The restrictions could leave many vulnerable individuals without a viable option for safety, potentially putting them at risk of refoulement. The U.N. emphasizes the importance of upholding the right to seek asylum and ensuring that individuals facing persecution have access to a fair asylum process before being subject to deportation or removal. The implications of these measures extend beyond the U.S., as they reflect broader global trends in migration policy and the treatment of asylum seekers in wealthy countries.
