The Biden administration has announced a temporary pause in its efforts to reform and increase asylum processing at the border. The new asylum policy, which granted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers the authority to approve or deny claims, had previously been limited to immigration judges within the Department of Justice.
This pause is intended to ensure operational readiness before the end of an emergency pandemic expulsion policy next month. Researchers at Syracuse University have reported that more than 1.5 million asylum seekers are currently waiting for hearings in the US.
In response to concerns about this growing backlog, White House officials have stated that additional funding for USCIS is necessary in order to reduce it effectively. Administration officials also emphasized that this pause is temporary and designed with caution in mind as they prepare for a potential surge in border crossings when restrictions ease up.
Samantha Power, Administrator of USAID said: "While we recognize there's a need for efficient asylum processing, our top priority right now is ensuring operational readiness ahead of expected changes due to lifting pandemic-related restrictions."
Critics argue that pausing these reforms could further exacerbate the backlog issue; however, supporters maintain that it would allow time for proper implementation without creating additional strain on resources during this uncertain period.
Maria Elena Hincapié , Executive Director of National Immigration Law Center commented: "We understand why there might be some hesitancy given current circumstances but ultimately believe taking steps towards increasing efficiency will prove beneficial long-term."
Asylum seekers continue facing prolonged wait times while their cases remain pending amidst bureaucratic challenges posed by such large numbers seeking refuge on American soil. The outcome remains unclear as both sides weigh arguments about whether pausing progress can lead toward better-prepared systems or hamper much-needed improvements altogether.