The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have created a new rule aimed at speeding up the process for noncitizens seeking asylum in the United States.
The new policy would target more efficient processing of asylum claims at the U.S. border with the goal of “ensuring that those who are eligible for asylum are granted relief quickly, and those who are not are promptly removed,” according to a press release.
“This rule advances our efforts to ensure that asylum claims are processed fairly, expeditiously and consistent with due process,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.
More migrants would be placed in the “expedited removal” process under the rule. This policy is not expected to include unaccompanied minors.
“It will help reduce the burden on our immigration courts, protect the rights of those fleeing persecution and violence and enable immigration judges to issue removal orders when appropriate,” Garland said.
The new policy would be implemented in phases with the intent of addressing the asylum claim backlog.
Reuters reported that the Biden administration had vocalized the need to make changes to the asylum system as the number of people attempting to cross the border reached record highs.
According to CNN, the change is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to speed up the asylum process for claims made at the border, something he even spoke about during his State of the Union address.
A 2017 report from Doctors Without Borders revealed 31.4% of female migrants who traveled through Mexico to the U.S. had been sexually abused.
