Biden Administration Takes Steps to Address Backlogs in American Asylum System

President Biden’s administration is taking steps to address the notorious backlogs in the American asylum system. In a move to control the system’s inefficiencies, the administration proposed a rule change that would allow officers to quickly identify and remove ineligible asylum seekers, such as those with serious criminal convictions.

Additionally, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a new policy instructing asylum officers to consider whether applicants could have found refuge in their own countries before coming to the United States. This information will be used to determine whether applicants should pass their initial asylum screening.

While these changes may not have a significant impact on the overall asylum system, they demonstrate the Biden administration’s focus on securing the border amidst ongoing migration concerns. President Biden has taken a tougher stance on immigration as the number of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has reached record levels during his presidency.

The administration is also considering executive action that could prevent illegal border crossers from claiming asylum, a move that would suspend longstanding guarantees for those seeking safe haven in the United States. Despite these efforts, border crossings have decreased significantly in recent months, with April expected to see a further decline in numbers.

As the Biden administration continues to address challenges in the asylum system, the public can expect ongoing developments in immigration policy and border security.