U.S. Tightens Asylum Restrictions at the Mexican Border

This Monday, the U.S. government announced new measures aimed at reinforcing asylum restrictions at the Mexican border. This comes as the electoral campaign between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump enters its final stages.

According to government officials, these new measures will further complicate efforts to lift the current asylum ban, which has been in effect since June. The ban has played a central role in reducing the number of migrant apprehensions at the border, which has now fallen to its lowest level in four years. This comes at a time of increasing migration across the Americas.

Concerns from Human Rights Organizations

However, several human rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to these policies. They have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, arguing that the restrictions violate asylum laws and endanger the lives of those fleeing violence or persecution. “This rule is not only inhumane but also contradicts the United States’ international obligations,” the organizations stated, emphasizing that many of these individuals have no choice but to cross the border irregularly in search of safety.

Impact of the New Asylum Restrictions

The newly announced measures introduce substantial changes to the existing policy. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that the adjustments raise the bar for lifting the asylum ban and now include unaccompanied minors in the count of irregular border crossings—a demographic previously excluded from the calculations.

Prior to these changes, the rule required that the daily average of irregular crossings be reduced to below 1,500 people for seven consecutive days to lift the restrictions. Now, that threshold must be maintained for 28 consecutive days—a significantly more stringent requirement. The government hopes that this will, in turn, lead to greater control at the border and serve as a deterrent to irregular migration.

“With these measures, we aim to strengthen border security and discourage irregular migration,” said Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, in an official statement.

Surge in Migrant Expulsions

Since the asylum restrictions were first introduced, expulsions of migrants at the border have increased sharply. DHS officials report that 70% of adults and families detained at the border have been deported. “Between June 5 and August 31, we tripled the percentage of individuals expelled after being apprehended by Border Patrol,” a DHS spokesperson noted.

This rise in deportations occurs against the backdrop of a broader migration crisis. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have arrived at the southern U.S. border this year, fleeing dire political and economic conditions in countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Across the Americas, forced displacement has surged: according to recent data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 21 million people in the region are currently displaced.

Finally, it is important to mention that the flow of migrants persists, driven by desperation and the pursuit of better opportunities. Hence, as the presidential election approaches, the debate over balancing border control and migrant rights is likely to intensify, with significant implications for the future of U.S. asylum policy.