Caribbean immigrant advocates denounce updated asylum restrictions

Caribbean immigrant advocates yesterday denounced United States President Joe Biden's update of his executive action limiting access to asylum for Caribbean and other migrants at the US southern border.

 

Under the updated regulation, the Biden administration now requires that the number of border crossings between ports of entry remain below 1,500 for 28 consecutive days, as opposed to the previous version of the policy, which was for one week, in order for the asylum restrictions to be lifted.

 

This policy went into effect immediately at midnight on Monday.

 

President and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition, Murad Awawdeh, says it represents a dangerous move away from the United States' legal and moral obligations to protect vulnerable people fleeing persecution and seeking safety.