The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees registered 12,000 asylum seekers, nearly half of the 25,000 cases the U.S. government has cited. Migrants are now waiting for hearings on their asylum requests with a mix of hope and frustration.
Due to the influx of asylum seekers, the U.S. government is working to process them all in a timely manner.
“There are three key challenges in adjudicating the asylum seekers,” said Dr. Gary Rose, chair of the Department of Government. “They are: COVID testing, verifying the authenticity of those claiming asylum and keeping children with their parents during the legal processing.”
There are many steps in registering asylum seekers.
“The federal authorities need to first test for COVID-19 and then proceed through the proper governmental channels for processing these people,” said Rose. “Process is key.”
In processing asylum seekers, the COVID-19 pandemic plays a significant role.
“Testing is taking place, but it is not as effective as it should be,” said Rose.
According to Associated Press, the “U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it would begin processing asylum seekers with registered cases who have been living in a tent encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico.”
Many people feel remorse for asylum seekers living in such horrible conditions.
“It is heartbreaking to hear that the conditions of the camps have not changed,” said sophomore Christina Gori. “No woman, man or child should have to suffer these harsh conditions while awaiting a safe haven from their previously known hell.”
While there have been poor living conditions for asylum seekers during both the Obama and Trump administrations, some people are hoping for change under the Biden administration.
“The administration has many priorities moving forward, and I hope to see funding that can be spared not only to better the conditions of these camps but to better the conditions of various underfunded systems in the country,” said Gori.
Associated Press said that there are unjustified living conditions in the tent encampments. Asylum seekers’ journeys to registration can, however, be improved with the help of the Mexican government.
“The Mexican government should make sure that asylum seekers have access to humanitarian aid, relief and health services,” said Prof. Isil Akbulut Gok, an assistant professor in the Department of Government. “Additionally, the Mexican government should protect them from gang violence.”
There are still many asylum seekers who have not yet registered to come into the U.S.
“I think the biggest challenge is that there are not enough immigration judges and asylum officers who can adjudicate asylum seekers,” said Gok.
Some asylum seekers have been waiting years to be let into the U.S.
“The U.S. government needs to make the process shorter and less confusing,” said Gok. “They should also speed up asylum decisions.”
Karleigh Lam, a sophomore nursing major, believes that asylum seekers should be treated with more respect.
“I believe that if someone is truly fleeing their country due to the many issues within it and coming here with a purpose and goal to work toward gaining citizenship, then they should be granted that respect and accommodation,” said Lam.
Lam also commented on the environment which asylum seekers had to live in.
“The conditions in which these people are coming from are horrifying,” said Lam. “If I were in their position, I would want to go somewhere where freedom lies as well.”
