Joe Biden’s administration announced Monday that it is further tightening asylum restrictions at the U.S. southern border, as it is increasingly eager to show U.S. voters worried about immigration that it is embracing a strong stance on border security.
The new rules, which tighten restrictions announced last June, prevent migrants from obtaining asylum when U.S. authorities believe the southern border is overwhelmed.
Under previous rules, the United States could restrict access to asylum when the number of “irregular” migrants trying to enter the country between official border crossings reached 2,500 per day. Their numbers had to average less than 1,500 per day for a week for restrictions to be lifted.
But the version unveiled Monday predicts that the daily number will have to be below 1,500 for almost a month, not a week, before restrictions can be lifted. And the Biden government now counts all children in this toll, whereas previously only migrant children from Mexico were counted.
These changes will make it much more difficult to lift temporary restrictions for people entering the country between official border crossings and potentially seeking asylum in the United States.
Immigration advocates had already harshly criticized the restrictions announced in June, saying the government was reducing vital protections for people fleeing persecution.
But the Biden administration has touted its asylum restrictions, saying they have led to a significant drop in the number of migrants arriving at the southern border.
The new restrictions come into effect on Tuesday.
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