Lawyers assisting individuals seeking to cross the border were still trying to comprehend the specifics of the order on Tuesday. With detailed regulations yet to be released, they anticipated that it would result in panic and disorder at the border in the near future. They cautioned that despite the order, people would continue to flee their home countries due to violence and turmoil, and it would not stop overnight.
According to Monika Y Langarica, a senior attorney at the Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP) situated at the San Diego border, the proposed solution cannot be relied upon to decrease or halt the flow of people. Instead, it will only lead to chaos, disarray, and jeopardize the safety of individuals.
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‘This is reminiscent of the Trump era’
President Biden’s recent order marks a significant departure from his original platform, which championed the restoration of the asylum system and the adoption of more compassionate immigration policies compared to his predecessor. However, with the number of individuals seeking asylum at the border surging to unprecedented levels last year and efforts to enact immigration reforms thwarted by Republican opposition in Congress, Biden has had to implement his most stringent measures yet to address the issue of migration.
Biden is using section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the same mechanism that Donald Trump utilized during his presidency, to limit the number of individuals who can apply for asylum.
Biden has shown discomfort towards any comparisons made between him and others.
During his speech at the White House on Tuesday, he made it clear that he has no intention of demonising immigrants, separating children from their families at the border, or banning individuals from entering the country based on their religious beliefs. “I will never demonise immigrants,” he stated firmly. “I’ll never separate children from their families at the border. I will not ban people from this country because of their religious beliefs.” His words were a testament to his commitment to upholding the values of inclusivity and equality for all.
It’s evident that Trump has a tendency to mirror Hitler’s beliefs, particularly when it comes to immigrants. He firmly believes that immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of this country and made a determined effort to dismantle the US asylum and refugee system during his presidency. In fact, for his second term, he has proposed an even more extreme anti-immigrant agenda, which involves mass deportations and detention camps.
‘It will only cause suffering’
Human rights advocates argue that President Biden’s recent order, which is one of many policy changes designed to significantly limit access to the US asylum system, is unlikely to achieve its goal of reducing border arrivals.
According to Faisal Al-Juburi, who serves as the chief external affairs officer at Raices, an immigrant support and advocacy group in Texas, shutting down the border entirely is not a feasible option from a logistical standpoint.
The Democrats have expressed their disapproval of Biden’s executive order, which denies entry to certain asylum seekers.
In the past few decades, the United States has witnessed a significant surge in border crossings. Similar situations occurred in the 1980s and mid-2000s. However, what sets the present situation apart is the fact that a growing number of individuals are voluntarily surrendering themselves to the authorities, seeking protection.
According to lawyers and advocates, policies aimed at deterrence, like the ones mentioned in Biden’s executive order, may lead families in vulnerable conditions to resort to desperate measures. Alvaro Huerta, who serves as the Director of Litigation and Advocacy at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, opines that “What we expect to see is a lot of people in desperate situations, for example, separate from their children, and send their children up across the border.”
The migration route along the US-Mexico border is currently considered the most perilous in the world. Many individuals attempting to cross the vast, barren stretches of desert between official entry points often succumb to dehydration and starvation. Tragically, this has contributed to an alarmingly high number of deaths in recent years.
According to Huerta, the administration’s attempt to appear tougher at the border is a cynical effort that will ultimately shut down important pathways for asylum seekers. She believes that these avenues are crucial for saving lives and is concerned about the potential consequences of closing them off.
Asylum seekers are facing more barriers in accessing legal pathways to safety. Despite the White House’s assurance that applicants can still seek asylum at ports of entry, many are stuck waiting in harsh conditions at makeshift camps, enduring extreme temperatures in the frigid winter and scorching heat of the desert. These individuals are left to languish while they wait for their turn to be processed at immigration centers.
Erika Pinheiro, the executive director of Al Otro Lado, a non-profit organization that aids asylum seekers at the border, emphasized that Trump’s implementation of similar policies has shown that this order will not discourage individuals from seeking asylum. Instead, it will only result in further suffering and loss of life, as deserving refugees will be unable to obtain protection.
