President Joe Biden Faces First Lawsuit Over New Asylum Crackdown at the Border
In June 2024, the Biden administration faced a significant legal challenge following the issuance of a sweeping executive order designed to curtail asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border during periods of high migration. The ACLU, representing advocacy groups including RAICES and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, filed a lawsuit arguing that the asylum ban is legally indistinguishable from Trump-era policies previously deemed unlawful. RAICES and its partners contend that the directive violates the 1980 Refugee Act by categorically denying protection based on where a migrant enters the country and by using a "manifestation of fear" standard that places an undue burden on traumatized individuals. While the White House defends the border crackdown as a necessary measure for national security following congressional inaction, RAICES remains a primary plaintiff in the effort to protect the legal rights of vulnerable families and uphold international humanitarian obligations.
