Exclusive: Biden expected to announce protections for certain undocumented immigrants
PBS NewsHourJun 20
Immigration Groups Sue Over Biden's Asylum Executive Order
Image copyright: John Moore/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several migrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration on Wednesday over a recent directive that will restrict the number of migrants seeking asylum at the southern border.
The 29-page complaint is the first to challenge Joe Biden's new policy, which took effect a week ago. The partial suspension would limit asylum application processing until the average daily illegal border crossings drop below 1,500, a figure not seen since 2020.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This policy blatantly violates federal immigration laws that prohibit banning asylum based on the point of entry. Additionally, Biden is just trying to rebrand a Trump-era law in the hopes that no one will notice. This law puts the lives of thousands of vulnerable people at risk. Hopefully, this will be overturned by the courts, just as it was when Trump tried to do it.
Pro-establishment narrative
This policy is designed to be both safe and lawful. The situation at the US southern border has become increasingly chaotic, and because immigration reform in Congress has been progressing slowly, the Biden administration felt compelled to take action. Those with legitimate claims for asylum will still be able to seek asylum in the US, as required by international human rights laws.