President Biden’s administration is making moves to address the backlogs in the American asylum system, with a focus on controlling the influx of migrants at the border. This week, the administration proposed a rule change that would allow officers to quickly identify and remove individuals who are ineligible for asylum, such as those with serious criminal convictions. The goal is to expedite the process and prevent ineligible individuals from waiting months or even years for asylum proceedings.
Additionally, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a new policy instructing asylum officers to consider whether applicants could find refuge in their own countries before coming to the United States. This change is set to take effect on May 17 and aims to streamline the asylum screening process.
While these announcements are not expected to have a major impact on the overwhelmed asylum system, they demonstrate the Biden administration’s commitment to border security amid heightened concerns over migration. President Biden has taken a tougher stance on immigration, considering executive action to prevent illegal border crossers from claiming asylum.
Despite the administration’s efforts, recent data shows a significant decrease in border crossings compared to previous months. Border arrests have dropped from over 250,000 in December to an expected 129,000 in April. This downward trend suggests that the administration’s policies may be having an effect on curbing illegal immigration. President Biden remains determined to address the challenges at the border, even considering controversial measures to secure the nation’s borders.