Over the past two years, the U.S. Government has made considerable changes to asylum and migrant processing at the southern U.S. border. In June, the President issued an Executive Proclamation and Interim Final Rule (IFR), on “Securing the Border,” which built upon previous regulations to effectively close the U.S.-Mexico border to asylum seekers and other migrants.

While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported a significant decrease in apprehension as a measure of success, these policies ignore the experiences of asylum seekers facing the inhumane consequences of these changes to the asylum system. Asylum seekers in Mexico have shared harrowing stories of their journeys, enduring extortion, sexual assault, and violence while waiting for a chance to speak with border officials. Their stories confirm that current U.S. policy places asylum seekers at risk for further victimization.

Disregarding warnings, the U.S. Government redoubled its efforts to “secure” the border by publishing a final rule on September 30, solidifying and expanding upon the restrictions in the IFR.

YOU CAN SUBMIT FORMAL COMMENTS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPRESSING YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS RULE AND SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS.

To submit comments, download and fill out one of the forms developed by USCRI:

Download the Organizational Comments Template

Download the Individual Comments Template

Please submit comments to the federal register using this link on or before November 6, 2024.

USCRI, founded in 1911, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization committed to working on behalf of refugees and immigrants and their transition to a dignified life.

For press inquiries, please contact: [email protected]