Refugee Congress Alarmed by Further Restrictions on Seeking Asylum

On September 30th, the Biden administration issued new restrictions on the right to seek asylum at the U.S. southern border. These restrictions build upon the June 2024 ruling that already placed overwhelming barriers in front of those seeking safety and intensified the dangers faced by individuals and families fleeing persecution, violence, and instability in their home countries.

The initial asylum rule effectively closed the border once a certain daily encounter threshold was reached, allowing the government to quickly deport asylum seekers without adequate due process. The latest Proclamation goes further, allowing the border to remain closed for longer periods and now includes unaccompanied children in the daily threshold count. 

“The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right enshrined in international law. Restricting asylum eligibility and expediting deportations not only undermines this right, but also puts vulnerable individuals, including those fleeing persecution and violence, at greater risk. Instead of closing doors, the United States should uphold its commitment to protect those seeking refuge from dangerous and life-threatening conditions,” said Ali Aljundi, Membership Engagement and Leadership Development Manager.

“Refugee Congress is alarmed by and condemns the administration’s latest ruling. Asylum seekers already face dangerous journeys and extensive processing delays, and this expansion of restrictive policies only amplifies the risk to their lives,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “By choosing to indefinitely enact these harmful policies, the Administration is not just failing its humanitarian obligation, it is willfully putting countless lives in jeopardy. We need lasting solutions that uphold every person’s fundamental right to seek asylum.”