Biden Announces New App For Asylum Seekers, Cracks Down On Smugglers
January 5, 2023—With the number of migrants continuing to swell at the U.S. border and the U.S. Supreme Court saying illegal immigration itself is a crisis, President Joe Biden is taking notice and acting—as some would say, “finally.”
The White House announced today it is taking a series of new steps to curb illegal immigration to the United States while opening lawful means to seek refuge in the country.
Biden and his administration face immense pressure to address the border crisis. Since he took office in January 2021, the number of migrants crossing into the United States illegally hit record numbers. For example, in the fiscal year 2021, 2.76 million migrants entered the United States without legal means to do so, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
In a sign that he recognizes the problem isn’t going away, Biden is scheduled to take his first trip to the U.S.-Mexican border in El Paso, Texas on Sunday.
Removal And Bans From Entering
Effective immediately, Biden is instructing U.S. officials to remove individuals who do not have a legal basis, such as a lawful visa, to remain. Furthermore, the government will subject individuals in the country illegally to a five-year ban.
According to a January 5 statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the individuals subject to removal are those ” who do not claim a fear of persecution or torture or are determined not to have a credible fear after an interview with an Asylum Officer.”
Asylum Seekers: Rules And A New App
Biden said most of the people crossing the U.S. border are asylum seekers fleeing oppressive governments in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
“But instead of safe and orderly process at the border, we have a patchwork system that simply doesn’t work as it should,” Biden said. “We don’t have enough asylum officers or personnel to determine whether people qualify for asylum.”
Beginning today, asylum seekers won’t be allowed to stay in the United States unless they apply through legal means. One way to do that is by using a new app, called the CBP One App, to schedule processing appointments at key ports of entry.
“Do not just show up at the border. Stay where you are and apply legally from there,” Biden said. “Starting today, if you don’t apply through the legal process, you will not be eligible for this new parole program.”
Specifically, asylum seekers from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba will need to have an eligible sponsor in the United States and pass vetting and background checks.
Crack Down On Smuggling
Smuggling activities along the US-Mexican border are rampant, with criminals transporting people, guns and lethal drugs. Biden said he intends to crack down on the smuggling of drugs and people. According to Biden, U.S. border patrol officers working with Mexican officials have made 7,000 arrests of human smugglers in the last six months. Moreover, Customs and Border Patrol seized 20,000 pounds of fentanyl since August.
“Twenty thousand pounds of fentanyl. It’s a killer. It’s a flat killer,” Biden said.
Outreach to Mexico, Central America
Biden announced the administration will provide $23 million in humanitarian assistance to Mexico and Central America. The aid is intended for migrants and vulnerable populations.
Biden is scheduled to meet with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrado in Mexico City next week after a visit to the border city of El Paso, Texas.
Legal Means For Coming To The United States
Meanwhile, Biden said he is expanding legal pathways to migrate to the United States.
For example, the U.S. government is making plans to accept up to 30,000 individuals per month from Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Cubans via the parole process. That process would allow them to stay for two years and legally be able to work.
Also, the government plans to accept up to 20,000 refugees from other Latin American countries and the Caribbean through September 30, 2024.
Congressional Action Needed
Finally, Biden called on Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform—something it hasn’t achieved since 1986.
“Until Congress has acted, I can act where I have the legal capacity to do so,” Biden said.
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