The Biden administration has unveiled a new program aimed at expediting the immigration court cases of certain single adults apprehended for illegal border crossings. Senior officials announced the initiative on Thursday, stating that it forms part of a broader strategy to address concerns about illegal immigration ahead of upcoming elections.
Under this program, single adults scheduled for court appearances in five major cities – Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City – may be assigned to a “recent arrivals docket.” In an effort to reduce significant backlogs, immigration judges will strive to adjudicate their asylum claims within 180 days, a process that traditionally spans several years.
Our immigration courts are overwhelmed by a backlog of over 3.5 million cases under @JoeBiden.
My border plan calls for the hiring of hundreds – thousands, if necessary – of new judges to hear asylum claims & clear the enormous number of cases that have stacked up under Biden &… pic.twitter.com/Y9ekOpSRPx
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) May 8, 2024
President Joe Biden, amid his reelection campaign, has notably shifted his stance from advocating for more lenient border policies to adopting a more stringent approach to border security in recent months. This shift has been interpreted by some as an attempt to appeal to voters, with immigration emerging as a key concern. In contrast, Biden’s Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, has criticized the administration’s approach, pledging to reinstate robust border security measures.
In response to these developments, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has urged Congress to pass a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at bolstering border enforcement. Mayorkas emphasized that while the new administrative measures represent progress, comprehensive legislative action is necessary to address underlying issues effectively.
Although the exact number of individuals eligible for accelerated case processing remains unspecified, the administration plans to allocate at least 10 judges to oversee the initiative initially. Additionally, the Biden administration recently imposed visa restrictions on over 250 members of the Nicaraguan government and imposed sanctions on three Nicaraguan entities, partly in response to concerns regarding illegal immigrant smuggling activities in the region.
Furthermore, the administration aims to finalize a proposed regulation later this year, enabling asylum officers to promptly deny claims from illegal immigrants with serious criminal convictions or ties to terrorism, citing potential risks to public safety.
The timing of the Biden administration’s shift on immigration policy has sparked speculation, with many questioning the motives behind the sudden pivot. Critics have pointed to the looming November elections, where Biden faces a challenger known for his staunch advocacy of border security, as a potential factor influencing the administration’s approach.
Presidential debate flip-flop. Marijuana flip-flop. Border crisis flip-flop. Biden keeps throwing one Hail Mary after another. No one’s catching them. Pretty soon the team owners will have to substitute someone new. pic.twitter.com/AslgmemPPy
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) May 18, 2024
