The Biden Administration has taken a huge step back and announced a devastating ban on asylum eligibility. Prior attempts at implementing this same asylum ban were struck down during the Trump Administration on multiple occasions. According to this proposed rule, people seeking asylum in the U.S. who did not seek protection in a third country they passed through will now be ineligible for asylum in the U.S. and must seek resettlement in the countries they pass through first.

Camila Alvarez, Legal Director of the Central American Resource Center has Issued the Following Statement:

“It's absurd to think that we are facing a failed draconian Trump-Era policy but from an Administration that emphasized their commitment to protecting immigrants and preserving access to asylum. Essentially, asylum seekers are being dehumanized in an effort to deny them their legal rights to seek refuge. This only further endangers asylum seekers by forcing them to seek unavailable protection in countries that are not fundamentally prepared to guarantee resettlement or safety. Additionally, this is an attempt by the U.S. to undermine commitments to protect human rights by hindering access to asylum.

With the court battle over Title 42 and the rebirth of Trump Era policies, the Biden Administration has shown no interest in undoing any of the harms caused by Trump Era policies. These actions counter every promise the Biden Administration made on the campaign trail to repeal Trump era anti-immigrant policies and every vow President Biden has made to protect immigrants and refugees. CARECEN urges the Biden Administration to abandon the proposed rule and we will continue to fight for the rights of immigrant and refugee communities”

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