The Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRCP) strongly opposes the Biden administration’s proposed rule announced February 21, 2023, which will impose a sweeping new ban on asylum for many people seeking protection at the U.S. southern border. This rule violates U.S. laws and treaty obligations by returning asylum seekers to persecution or torture. Furthermore, the brief comment period of 30 days reflects the administration’s misguided effort to limit input on its proposed rule. A diverse coalition of orgs, including HIRCP, has advocated for the administration to change course since January, when President Biden first revealed that he would introduce this draconian ban. We urge the administration to abandon its proposal and ensure that all refugees have access to safe and equitable asylum processes in the United States.
