What Biden’s Asylum Ban Policy Means for Us 

By Omar Carrera, CEO 

The recent asylum ban policy instituted by President Biden at the U.S.-Mexico border has sparked significant concern within Canal Alliance. This policy punishes immigrants fleeing violent environments or seeking to reunite with their families and does so for primarily political reasons. Rather than protect the vulnerable, the policy seems designed to appease groups that have long criminalized immigrants, further marginalizing immigrant populations. 

It is important to recognize that Biden’s asylum ban will not address the core issues that lead to human migration. Instead, it focuses on deterrence and punishment, ignoring the fundamental reasons people migrate, such as violence, poverty, and lack of opportunity. 

We believe in the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform. Legalizing essential workers and building permanent solutions for DACA and TPS, who are the backbone of the U.S. economy, is a crucial step. A humane and fair immigration system should acknowledge the contributions of immigrants and provide pathways to legal status. 

It is also vital that we reject the negative rhetoric of anti-immigrant groups. Demonizing immigrants does not align with our values of inclusion and respect for all individuals. We must challenge narratives that criminalize and dehumanize immigrants, and instead celebrate steps toward building a society in which everyone is safe, respected, and able to contribute.  

While we recognize that the humanitarian border crisis is real and needs immediate attention, building walls and adding policy barriers is not the solution. These measures only exacerbate the crisis and fail to provide sustainable and humane responses. 

Canal Alliance remains committed to advocating for policies that are compassionate, just, and effective. The current asylum ban does not align with these principles. We call for comprehensive reform that addresses the root causes of migration and respects the dignity and rights of all individuals. 

Shortly after writing this article, the federal administration unveiled a policy that remove barriers to U.S. citizenship for hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and their children who have resided in the country for 10 years or more. The policy will also allow certain college graduates to apply for work visas. While we remain concerned about Biden’s asylum policy, we also want to celebrate wins where we see them, and this is one. Read more here. – Omar