Biden’s border crackdown explained – Karen Musalo looks at the legality and impact of new asylum rule

In “Biden’s border crackdown explained – a refugee law expert looks at the legality and impact of new asylum rule,” Karen Musalo offered thoughts on the rule proposed by the Biden administration that would restrict asylum eligibility.  

In response to a question on the impact of the policy, she succinctly summarized the devastating impacts on asylum-seekers:

“This rule will deny thousands of migrants fleeing persecution their right to seek asylum at the United States’ southern border. They will be returned to Mexico, where human rights organizations have documented high levels of violence and exploitation of migrants, or deported to their home countries.

Beyond the individual human impact, the implementation of this rule will send the wrong signal to other countries that have – like the United States – ratified international refugee treaties and passed laws committing to protect those fleeing persecution.

The message is that flouting legal obligations is acceptable, as is the outsourcing of refugee protection to smaller countries with far less resources. The exodus of refugees from Ukraine and U.S. efforts to encourage European countries to accept those fleeing the conflict underscore the importance of encouraging nations to take in refugees. Leading by bad example will only undermine that principle.”

KJ