UN Refugee Agency concerned about US plans to limit migrants from Caribbean

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#USA, January 15, 2023 – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Friday, January 6, expressed concerns about plans by the US President, Joe Biden, to expand restrictions on people seeking refuge in the United States, noting that the move was “not in line with refugee law standards.”

On Thursday, January 5, the Biden Administration announced plans to revamp its migration management strategy, which would see up to 30,000 people per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela enter the US legally if they meet a series of requirements, including finding a sponsor and demonstrate they are able to afford a plane ticket.

However, the reforms would deny migrants the chance to seek asylum in the US if they crossed from Mexico into the US without permission.

The Spokesperson for the UNHCR, Boris Cheshirkov, while speaking to journalists in Geneva, said while the UN agency welcomed the expanded safe and regular pathways for entry to the US for some, the new measures “must not preclude people forced to flee from exercising their fundamental human right to seek safety.”

Cheshirkov noted that due to the “multi-faceted” nature of the announcement, the UNHCR is seeking additional details and analyzing the likely impact of the measures, which he said would enable an “unprecedented number of people” from the four nationalities to enter.

The Spokesperson also said seeking asylum is “a fundamental human right.”

Adding: “the UNHCR will continue to engage with the US and other Governments to expand safe pathways and develop protection and solutions for asylum seekers – in line with international standards.”