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How Does the New Senate Package of Aid Proposal Want to Restrict Asylum at the US/Mexican Border?


The bill proposes several changes to the asylum process at the US-Mexican border.

Firstly,

Migrants would need to demonstrate a reasonable possibility of getitng asylum during initial screenings. In other words, the initial screening will be an asylum interview.

Second,

Individuals with a criminal history, those who have resettled in another country, or those who could have found safety in their home country would be ineligible to apply for asylum.

Third,

Asylum-seeking migrants crossing the Mexican border illegally would face detention and undergo a screening within 10 to 15 days. Those who pass the screening would receive a work permit, enter a supervision program. Their asylum case is decided within 90 days. Meanwhile, migrants seeking asylum between ports of entry would face detention until their initial screening. This necessitates a significant increase in detention capacity as outlined in the proposal.

Fourth,

The bill suggests expanding a Biden administration program aimed at tracking families awaiting asylum screenings at the border. This is an alternative to detention, reflecting efforts to address humanitarian concerns.

However, immigration advocates have voiced concerns about the proposed changes. They argue that the current asylum standard, although criticized for being low, considers the dire circumstances migrants face, their lack of legal representation, and the trauma of their journeys.

Fifth, as to border enforcement, the bill would prevent migrants from applying for asylum if illegal border crossings reach certain numbers. There will be a numbers cap on the number of asylum seekers who can enter. This policy mirrors President Trump’s Title 42, which expedited the expulsion of migrants to curb COVID-19 spread. The bill proposes similar expulsion authority if Customs and Border Protection encounters exceed specified thresholds, with automatic expulsions triggered once encounter numbers surpass certain levels. Notably, December witnessed record-high border encounters, underscoring the urgency of addressing immigration policies.

The situation for asylum seekers at the US-Mexican border remains complex, with proposed changes stirring debate. Asylum seekers face new screening requirements and detention policies under the latest bill. However, concerns linger among immigration advocates regarding the impact on vulnerable individuals navigating the asylum process at the border.

Keep a close eye on the latest US-Mexican border deal news for asylum seekers. Understand how it may impact immigration and asylum policies and funding decisions.

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