The proposed rule, which garnered significant media attention prior to its official announcement, aims to empower asylum officers to assess the potential threat posed by asylum-seekers at an earlier stage in the process.
The revisions now take place during a formal asylum interview, which explores the eligibility of each migrant for protections.
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In a statement, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized that the recently published proposed rule is part of their continuous efforts to prioritize the safety of the American public. The rule aims to expedite the identification and removal of individuals who pose a security risk and have no lawful grounds for staying in the country.
The introduction of the new rule is scheduled for Monday, with a formal announcement to follow. Subsequently, the rule will undergo a comments process for further evaluation.
Officials have stated that the rule will be applicable to a specific group of migrants. However, they have not provided any specific figures or estimates regarding the number of individuals who will be impacted by this rule.
According to the official, asylum officers responsible for conducting credible fear screenings will not experience a significant increase in their workload as a result of the rule.
Multiple studies have consistently shown that immigrants have lower crime rates compared to native-born U.S. citizens. Furthermore, it is important to note that no one has ever been killed in a terrorist act by an individual who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. These findings highlight the need to separate fact from fear when discussing immigration and border security.
“The rule poses a significant risk to individuals who are escaping persecution, which may include unwarranted arrests or false allegations by their own government. Under this rule, asylum officers have the power to swiftly deport these individuals without providing them with a chance to explain that their arrest was actually a result of the persecution they were trying to escape,” explained Heidi Altman, the director of policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center.
