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Applications only from abroad: USA wants to introduce stricter rules for asylum seekers

2023-02-22T06:20:02.999Z


Thousands of migrants attempt to cross undetected into the US every month to seek asylum. The US government now wants to prevent this with a new law – and demand online asylum applications.


Enlarge image

Hard border: fence between the US state of Arizona and Mexico

Photo: REBECCA NOBLE / AFP

In the past, the government of US President Joe Biden has often emphasized its humane policy on migration issues - in contrast to ex-President Donald Trump.

Now, however, Biden's government also wants to significantly tighten the rules for asylum procedures.

As a government representative announced on Tuesday, asylum applications should only be made from outside the United States in the future.

Migrants who simply cross the border into the country could no longer ask for asylum in the USA.

This is to prevent a rush of migrants to the southern border of the country when the corona entry restrictions are soon to be lifted.

It would be the toughest measure taken by the Biden government to curb migration.

13,000 border crossings feared – per day

The US government apparently fears that the number of illegal entries into the US could increase significantly once the corona measures are lifted in May.

According to the New York Times, up to 13,000 people could be arrested in the United States every day after Trump's "Title 42" was lifted.

That would be almost twice as many as at peak times last year.

Most people leave their home countries such as Venezuela or Colombia to escape poverty and violence - and after a long journey ultimately end up on foot in the USA, where many of them apply for asylum.

Trump had enabled the border authorities with the "Title 42" quick returns.

According to the Biden administration's plans, migrants will now have to apply for US asylum either in one of the transit countries or via an Internet app and request an appointment with an immigration officer.

If they don't do this and simply come to the US instead, they should automatically lose their right to asylum.

The new regulation is to be discussed for 30 days

The planned new rules were published by the US government on Tuesday.

They are now to be discussed for 30 days and then – with any changes – finally decided.

They should come into force at the latest when the current corona regulation is lifted, which is planned for May.

Aid organizations immediately criticized the Biden government's proposals.

"This blanket asylum ban will barricade the door for countless refugees seeking safety and protection in the United States," said Oxfam America President Abby Maxman.

"This policy is illegal and immoral."

fek/AFP

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2023-02-22

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