February 21, 2023

RANKING MEMBER CORREA STATEMENT ON DHS AND DOJ ATTEMPT TO RESURRECT TRUMP’S TRANSIT BAN

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Following reports that the Biden Administration will now require asylum seekers to first apply for asylum in a transit country instead of allowing them to seek their legal right to asylum at our southern border, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), Ranking Member of the Border Security Subcommittee, released the following statement:

“Our nation’s courts rightly rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to categorically end asylum when he required asylum seekers to seek asylum in transit countries, and the Biden Administration's attempt to continue this unfair and restrictive policy is disappointing,” said Ranking Member Correa.“This action will bar deserving asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border from claiming asylum if they passed through another country en route to the United States without seeking protection. This rule will give those seeking refuge the presumption of ineligibility to seek safe-haven in the United States—and it is unconscionable, unacceptable, and un-American.” 

“I encourage the Administration to work with Congress to ensure they develop safe, humane, and orderly border policies that enforce our immigration laws and uphold the right to asylum under domestic and international law,” Correa concluded.

This statement follows a letter sent to the Administration last month, co-signed by Ranking Member Correa, urging President Joe Biden to reverse his administration’s expansion of the failed border policy known as Title 42 and abandon the proposed asylum “transit ban” rule.”

While this proposed rule will still allow for people who transit third countries to apply for asylum at Points of Entry (POEs) via the CBP One app, there have been well-reported challenges with the number of appointments available, language accessibility, photo recognition, and technical glitches.

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