The measures revealed by President Joe Biden’s White House on immigration “are accompanied by a clear setback in the commitment to welcome asylum seekers,” said New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menéndez.
“For too long the United States’ approach to addressing the challenges related to the increase in immigration and refugee numbers in our hemisphere has been woefully myopic,” the lawmaker added in a statement.
“We have relied too much on punitive border measures instead of providing additional legal avenues for immigrants and raising the necessary financial resources to address the factors that drive migration,” he added.
The senator celebrated the intention announced by the Biden government to increase the number of admissions of refugees from American countries, the establishment of regional centers for procedures and the new processes for family reunification.
The United States announced that it will create centers in Colombia and Guatemala to manage migrant petitions, as part of the new actions approved to reduce the migratory flow towards its border with Mexico from May 11, when Title 42 is suspended, a measure health that allows expedited expulsions.
“While the announcement will launch some policies that are long overdue, they are accompanied by a clear setback in our nation’s commitment to welcoming asylum seekers,” Menéndez said.
“It will take months for these political ads to help migrants and refugees in the region, and until then the Biden Administration’s transit ban will mark a historic abdication of our nation’s asylum laws,” added the Democrat.
According to the senator, “until these new regional policies take effect, we will be turning our backs on our neighbors who are fleeing violence, persecution and crimes against humanity.”
With information from EFE
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