On Monday, September 30th, the Biden administration reinforced its harmful, enforcement-first approach to asylum by issuing a final rule that cements restrictions initially introduced in June 2024. These changes represent not only a betrayal of U.S. and international asylum laws but also a dangerous escalation that will put more lives at risk. This administration’s refusal to reverse course effectively closes the door on people fleeing violence and persecution, forcing them into harm’s way and exposing them to further abuse.
By tightening the criteria and manipulating the metrics to trigger the asylum shutdown, the administration is ensuring that asylum will remain inaccessible for the foreseeable future. Asylum seekers are being sent back to dangerous conditions, and people in desperate need of protection are being met with bureaucracy, endless wait times, and hostile enforcement rather than the refuge they are entitled to by law. The restrictions, such as requiring a CBP One appointment to apply for asylum at ports of entry, are not only impractical but dangerous—leaving people stranded in Mexico, where they face extortion, assault, and worse.
This final rule deepens the harm caused by the administration’s sweeping asylum ban, now making it nearly impossible for those fleeing violence to safely seek asylum in the U.S. These policies blatantly violate the United States’ legal and moral obligations under the Refugee Convention and international law, which prohibit turning away asylum seekers based on how they arrive. Rather than addressing the root causes of migration or the humanitarian crisis at the border, the administration has chosen to reinforce policies that lead to family separations, wrongful deportations, and the erosion of trust in our immigration system.
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition stands firmly against these measures. The Biden administration must immediately reverse this devastating rule and adopt real, humane solutions that respect the rights of those seeking safety. Closing the border to asylum seekers is not the solution to global migration challenges—it is a violation of the fundamental principles of human rights and justice. We call on the administration to halt this dangerous trajectory and restore our commitment to being a welcoming nation.