The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the new restrictions announced by US President Joe Biden to limit the flow of asylum seekers, urging Washington to reconsider its decision. Biden’s executive order allows officials to confront asylum seekers and migrants when their numbers reach 2,500 per day, giving authorities the ability to deport immigrants who crossed into the United States without proper documentation.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has voiced its disagreement with these new asylum measures, stating that they impose severe restrictions on the right to seek asylum in the country. The UNHCR believes that the new measures will deprive many individuals in need of international protection of their right to seek asylum and may leave them without viable options for safety, facing the risk of forced return.
The Commission emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals who claim to have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin to reach a safe area and have their claims evaluated before any deportation or expulsion. It calls on the United States to fulfill its international obligations and reconsider the restrictions that undermine this fundamental right to seek asylum.
While acknowledging the challenges the United States faces in managing large numbers of arrivals at its borders, the Commission notes that the US has historically welcomed refugees through various pathways. The Commission remains committed to supporting the US in broader reform efforts to improve border management and asylum systems.
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