Dems push back against Biden’s asylum rule, GOP holds border hearing

Democrats are not happy with the Biden administration’s new proposed asylum rule that is set to take effect once Title 42 ends. The rule would make certain individuals ineligible for asylum, including those who fail to apply before arriving in the United States.

The rule is being proposed by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. It would come into force around May 11, the expected end of Title 42. The administration said it’s needed to address what could be a serious influx of immigrants that is beyond what the system can handle.

“The practical result of this growing backlog is that those deserving of protection may have to wait years for their claims to be granted, while individuals who are ultimately found not to merit protection may spend years in the United States before being issued a final order of removal,” the proposal said in the Federal Register.

There are exceptions for extraordinary circumstances including imminent danger to life or a medical emergency.

In a joint statement Democratic Sens. Booker, N.J., Menendez, N.J., Lujan, N.M., and Padilla, Calif., said the president’s proposal perpetuates the harmful myth that asylum-seekers are a threat to this nation.

“In reality, they are pursuing a legal pathway in the United States. We have an obligation to protect vulnerable migrants under domestic and international law and should not leave vulnerable migrants stranded in countries unable to protect them,” the senators stated.

77 Democrats wrote a letter to President Biden in January speaking out against this rule and his immigrant parole program.

“I have been to the border. I have crossed and met with women escaping persecution who tried to legally present themselves for asylum and were turned away and they are living a nightmare. Where they literally have to hide themselves to avoid sexual violence, robbery and more,”  Sen. Booker said in January.

Democrats are speaking out as House Republicans head to Yuma, Arizona, for a hearing on the border. They are going to hear from the local community, including the sheriff, county supervisor and the president of the local hospital. This is the first in what they say will be multiple hearings at the border. No Democrats on the committee attended, they called it a political stunt.