Biden Finally Secured The Border?
The Biden administration is taking swift action to address the growing challenges at the U.S.-Canada border by accelerating the asylum process for migrants. This initiative comes in response to record-setting numbers of illegal border crossings, which have significantly strained the Border Patrol’s resources.
According to a CBS News report, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing changes designed to expedite the asylum process for individuals apprehended by Border Patrol agents at the northern border. This move aims to reduce the time migrants spend in custody and help manage the increased workload faced by border enforcement agencies.
The number of migrants apprehended along the U.S.-Canada border has skyrocketed from under 1,000 in fiscal year 2021 to over 16,000 in fiscal year 2024, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These figures do not include the final quarter of the fiscal year, but they represent a dramatic rise compared to historical averages.
In response, the U.S. is revising its approach to the 2002 Safe Third Country Agreement with Canada. This agreement, which was updated last year, permits either country to return individuals who enter the other country illegally, based on the premise that both nations offer adequate asylum opportunities. If a person has not sought asylum in one country, they cannot do so in the other.
Previously, migrants intercepted at the northern border could delay their asylum screenings to gather documentation and evidence for their claims. Starting Wednesday, these delays will no longer be permitted, with some exceptions for unaccompanied minors and individuals with family members already in the U.S. Additionally, migrants will have only four hours to consult with a lawyer before their asylum screening, down from the previous 24-hour period.
The DHS stated that it carefully reviewed the Safe Third Country Agreement’s implementation and determined that these changes would streamline the asylum process without compromising the fairness or thoroughness of asylum determinations. This adjustment aims to balance the need for effective border management with the rights of those seeking asylum.
