The Biden administration has announced that it will allow certain migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who are currently in Mexico to apply for refugee status and enter the United States legally, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. This decision aims to provide an alternative for migrants to avoid dangerous and illegal border crossings.
Sullivan emphasized the importance of migrants utilizing these legal channels rather than putting their lives at risk by relying on smugglers and traffickers. By granting refugee status, individuals from these four countries will have a pathway to citizenship in the United States and access to government benefits that are not available to other migrants.
Discussions between the United States and Mexico regarding a new U.S. refugee program for migrants already in Mexico from these nations have been ongoing. Mexico’s incoming foreign minister, Alicia Barcena, confirmed this week that talks were being held to facilitate the processing of migrants.
President Joe Biden has faced significant challenges regarding the large number of migrants apprehended for illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during his presidency. However, the implementation of stricter asylum regulations in May led to a decrease in the number of border crossings. Yet, there are still tens of thousands of migrants waiting in Mexico.
Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Additional reporting by Paul Grant; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Angus MacSwan
Credit: The Star : News Feed
