Texas immigrants’ rights groups sue Biden administration over asylum restrictions
President Joe Biden’s order, issued a week ago, largely suspends noncitizens’ entry into the country whenever the number of migrants entering the country illegally is high.
“President Biden’s recent executive order flies in the face of our entire asylum system and has no cognizable basis to support it,” said Jennifer Babaie, director of advocacy and legal services for El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, one of the groups behind the lawsuit. “By doing this, the president has managed to further penalize vulnerable individuals and families seeking protection and violated our laws.”
The lawsuit alleges that the exception criteria to Biden’s proclamation is too narrow. People exempted from the policy include permanent U.S. residents, unaccompanied children, trafficking victims and migrants who secure an appointment with U.S. officials. Migrant rights advocates have criticized the phone app used to make those appointments saying it’s already overwhelmed.
