Biden's proposed new rule effectively ends asylum

Yes, you read that headline correctly. The Biden administration announced earlier this week a proposed rule that would create the presumption of asylum ineligibility for the majority of asylum seekers. Immigration advocates, like Fellowship Southwest and our partners, warn that this rule runs counter to the universal human right to seek asylum.

National Immigration Forum poses this question in their daily email: "How is President Biden’s proposed new asylum rule different from President Trump’s original transit ban? ... One notable difference: People were automatically ineligible for asylum under Trump’s ban. The Biden administration’s proposal would allow some exceptions, though many advocates say they’re too limited."

Furthermore, Biden is in the process of negotiating a "safe third country agreement" with Mexico which would allow the U.S. to deport migrants there with the understanding that it is a reasonably safe alternative.

Elket Rodríguez, CBF field personnel at the Rio Grande Valley border, is frustrated by this attempt, especially since the U.S. Department of State has declared a travel advisory against Mexico. The travel advisory states that "violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico." We are led to assume that the safety of Mexico is unsuitable for American citizens but perfectly fine for migrants.
 
Rodríguez calls these developments egregious and offensive. "This announcement is the legal equivalent of lifting a 50-foot tall steel wall across our borders—effectively banning access to asylum to thousands of vulnerable migrants and infringing on historical treaty obligations and our long-standing tradition of welcoming refugees," he said.

The proposed rule will be formally published today, Thursday, Feb. 23, beginning a 30-day comment period. In the coming weeks, Fellowship Southwest – along with its advocacy partners – will provide advocacy opportunities to oppose this rule. We invite you to participate in these opportunities as we share them with you.