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The government of US President Joe Biden wants to sharply tighten the rules for asylum seekers. This is to prevent an influx of migrants to the country’s southern border when corona travel restrictions are soon lifted, a government representative in Washington said on Tuesday.

For example, an asylum application should only be possible from outside the US in the future. Migrants who simply cross the border into the country can no longer apply for asylum in the US.

This passage is of course aimed at the South and Latin American refugees who want to go to the US via Mexico. According to estimates, this concerns about 200,000 people per month. Most of them leave their home countries such as Venezuela or Colombia to escape poverty and violence – eventually reaching the US on foot after a long journey, where many of them seek asylum.

According to the new rules now planned, this must be prevented. The refugees must now apply for U.S. asylum in one of the transit countries or through an internet app and make an appointment with an immigration officer. If they fail to do so and simply come to the US, they should automatically lose their right to asylum.

“This policy is illegal and immoral”

The planned new rules were published by the US government on Tuesday. They are now discussed for 30 days and then – with possible changes – finally decided. They should come into effect at the latest when the strict Corona entry restrictions currently in place are lifted, which is scheduled for May.

Aid organizations directly criticized the Biden administration’s proposals. “This blanket ban on asylum will barricade the door for countless refugees seeking safety and protection in the United States,” said Oxfam America President Abby Maxman. “This policy is illegal and immoral.” (sda/afp)