WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Monday it is tightening asylum restrictions at the southern border as it continues to show voters uneasy about immigration that it is taking a tough stance on border security.
The new rules, which tighten restrictions announced in June, prevent migrants from being granted asylum if U.S. officials deem the southern border to be overloaded.
Under previous rules, the U.S. could limit access to asylum when the number of migrants trying to enter the country between official border crossings reaches 2,500 per day. Daily numbers had to average below 1,500 per day for a week before restrictions could be lifted.
But the version rolled out on Monday says daily numbers will have to remain below 1,500 for almost a month before restrictions can be lifted. And the government is now counting all children toward that number, while previously only migrant children from Mexico were counted.
These changes will make it much more difficult to lift restrictions and ultimately allow people who enter the country between official border crossings to seek asylum in the US.
Immigration advocates had already sharply criticized the restrictions announced in June, saying the government was cutting back on vital protections for people fleeing persecution.
But the administration has touted its asylum restrictions, saying they have led to a severe drop in the number of migrants coming to the southern border.
The new restrictions come into effect on Tuesday.