U.S. to let 25,000 asylum-seekers cross border to wait out immigration cases

The Biden administration next week will start allowing migrants and refugees to wait out their immigration cases in the United States — instead of Mexico or another Latin American nation, as ordered by former President Donald Trump.

The Homeland Security Department said late Thursday it is about to begin processing asylum-seekers. It will also allow them to live in the United States until their cases become settled.

The “Remain in Mexico” plan started by Trump in early 2019 denied U.S. entry to tens of thousands of migrants and refugees. Some human rights advocates criticized the plan. They said many had no shelter during their wait and often became the target of violence.

The change in policy will allow 600 refugees to enter the United States per day. The department said 25,000 are waiting near the border for word on their applications.

A Reform In Handling Immigration Cases

The department called the move another step in a phased strategy to reform the U.S. immigration system.

“This latest action is another step in our commitment to reform immigration policies that do not align with our nation's values,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement Thursday. “Especially at the border, however, where capacity constraints remain serious, changes will take time.”

Mayorkas emphasized that they will only allow migrants who have a case pending in the courts to enter the United States. Those who don't will receive permission to enter the country.

The department said there will soon be a virtual registration process for those who want to cross the border legally.

“This announcement should not be interpreted as an opening for people to migrate irregularly to the United States,” it said. “Eligible individuals will only be allowed to enter through designated ports of entry at designated times.”

Earlier this month, Biden signed multiple executive orders to reform immigration policy. One of the directives ordered federal agencies to reunite migrant families that had been separated under Trump's “zero tolerance” policy.

“As President Biden has made clear, the U.S. government is committed to rebuilding a safe, orderly, and humane immigration system,” Mayorkas added.

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Source: UPI