SILVER SPRING, Maryland — On Monday, the Biden administration announced its intent to finalize and expand harmful asylum restrictions that undermine the United States' obligations under international human rights and refugee law. The newly revised rule will maintain the severe asylum restrictions until the average number of border encounters remains below a certain threshold for 28 consecutive days rather than 7 and will also include unaccompanied minors in the number of daily encounters who were previously excluded from the count. The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), expresses deep disappointment and vehement opposition to this decision.

"These restrictions reflect a troubling departure from our moral duty to uphold the right to seek asylum and protect those seeking refuge," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of CLINIC. "As Catholics, we are called to welcome the stranger and promote the dignity of every human being. These policies run counter to Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes concern for the vulnerable, as it leaves individuals and families at greater risk."

The administration's decision prioritizes deterrence over compassion, denying those fleeing violence and persecution their legal right under international and U.S. law to seek safety through asylum.

"This decision to finalize the Securing the Border rule and potentially extend the applicability of the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule ensures that asylum seekers will not have a reasonable pathway to safety," said Elnora Bassey, a policy advocacy attorney at CLINIC. "Compounding restrictive asylum policies one after another to obstruct individuals' lawful path to safety is inhumane and cruel and only creates additional, nearly insurmountable barriers to the U.S. asylum system."

"We urge the Biden administration to reconsider this harmful course and embrace a framework that reflects our values of justice and compassion," Gallagher added. "Restoring access to asylum is essential to honor our commitment to welcoming and protecting those fleeing persecution."