Center for Gender & Refugee Studies Condemns Executive Action at the Border and Biden's Proposed Rule

 

On June 4, the Biden administration announced a sweeping executive action that effectively closes the border to many people seeking asylum. Under a new interim final rule, those seeking protection between ports of entry along the U.S. southern border can be deemed ineligible for asylum, allowing the government to summarily deport them with no legal process. The rule took effect at 12:01 am on Wednesday, June 5. Within 24 hours, CGRS Director Professor Karen Musalo published a compelling op-ed in the Los Angeles Times calling the rule out as an affront to our laws and treaty obligations, as well as a callous political miscalculation that will cause grave harm to refugees fleeing persecution.

Read Karen's Op-Ed in the LA Times

Read Melissa's Full Comment on the Executive Action

This executive action follows the Biden administration’s recently unveiled new rule that would pose yet another obstacle to people receiving a full and fair hearing on their asylum claims. The proposed rule would allow asylum officers to make complicated legal decisions at the initial credible fear screening, potentially leading to swift denials of protection in cases where they suspect statutory bars may apply. In practice, this rule would violate asylum seekers’ due process rights and accelerate wrongful deportations of refugees to countries where they face persecution.  The administration is accepting comments on the rule until 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, June 12. Click here to learn more about the rule, and how you can make your voice heard!  Click here to watch a recent #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign press briefing, where CGRS Legal Director Blaine Bookey discussed the rule and how it would impact people seeking safety, alongside asylee and former CGRS client Aida Andrade.   KJ