US to test faster asylum checks for immigrants crossing the border illegally

The Biden administration will begin testing faster asylum checks next week for immigrants caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, the Department of Homeland Security said on Saturday, as part of preparations to end restrictions on Covid-19 at the border in May.

US agents will conduct the first asylum screenings for a small number of migrants within days as they remain in the custody of border authorities, homeland security spokeswoman Marsha Espinosa said. Interviews will be conducted by telephone and immigrants will have access to legal advice during the screenings, she said.

US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has implemented new border restrictions in recent months, trying to deal with record numbers of immigrants crossing illegally. Former Republican President Donald Trump has also used expedited asylum screenings to expedite resolution of cases, but those screenings were conducted by US Customs and Border Protection officials and without any guarantees of legal advice.

Since March 2020, US officials have been able to turn back migrants illegally crossing the border into Mexico under a Covid-19 order known as Title 42. That order will expire on May 11, along with the broader health emergency public, and the Biden administration is bracing for a possible increase in crossings after that happens.

The faster screening experiment will “inform best practices” if the government decides to apply it more widely in the future, Espinosa said. The spokeswoman declined to say where at the border they would be enforced next week.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.