United States will expedite asylum processing at the northern border to discourage migrant crossings

The Biden administration is aiming to streamline the processing of asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Canada border due to a significant increase in migrant crossings in that area. The plans, as outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents obtained by CBS News, involve two key changes to the processing of migrants under the “Safe Third Country” asylum agreement with Canada. These changes are aimed at expediting the process of determining whether migrants are subject to the agreement and facilitating quicker deportations for those who do not qualify for asylum in the U.S.

The first change requires migrants to have their documentation ready when undergoing screenings by U.S. asylum officers to determine if they are subject to the agreement with Canada. Previously, migrants could delay these screenings while gathering necessary documents. The second change reduces the time migrants have to consult with lawyers before their screenings to a minimum of four hours, down from a 24-hour minimum. These changes are set to take effect on August 14 and are intended to help immigration officials process and deport asylum-seekers more efficiently along the U.S.-Canada border.

In fiscal year 2024, Border Patrol agents have apprehended 16,500 migrants who crossed the U.S.-Canada border illegally, a significant increase from previous years. The surge in migrant arrivals at the northern border has presented challenges for U.S. officials, as Border Patrol has fewer agents and resources to patrol the vast and rugged terrain compared to the border with Mexico. Most migrant apprehensions in the northern border this year have occurred in the Swanton sector, covering rural areas in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The increase in crossings at the northern border has now surpassed all apprehensions recorded in the area over the past 13 fiscal years combined.

While illegal crossings at the southern border have significantly decreased this year, attributed to various factors including Mexico’s efforts to deter migrants and President Biden’s asylum restrictions, the situation at the U.S.-Canada border has seen a notable increase in migrant activity. The Biden administration’s focus on streamlining asylum processing at the northern border is an effort to address the challenges posed by this surge in activity and ensure that immigration officials can effectively manage the situation. The changes are primarily procedural but are intended to facilitate faster processing and deportation of asylum-seekers who do not qualify for protection in the U.S.

Despite the record levels of illegal crossings at the northern border in recent years, the overall number of apprehensions remains significantly lower than those at the southern border. However, the unique challenges posed by the terrain and resources available along the U.S.-Canada border warrant specific measures to address the increasing migrant activity in that region. The Biden administration’s efforts to expedite the processing of asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Canada border reflect a strategic approach to managing immigration challenges at various points of entry into the United States.