America’s asylum system was designed to protect the persecuted. Instead, under the Joe Biden administration and Democratic rule, it has functioned as a years-long work visa program – allowing many who enter illegally to remain in the United States while their claims are pending.
According to a press release [1] America First Legal (AFL) citing their submission of their public comment on the issue, the current setup practically invites abuse. File an asylum claim – valid or not – and applicants can qualify for work permits while their cases crawl through a backlog topping 2.35 million. With wait times stretching past three years, that’s a long stay courtesy of the red, white and mostly BLUE.
The sheer volume of claims has overwhelmed immigration courts, burying legitimate cases under what critics call a flood of meritless filings. The incentive? Employment authorization that can last for years, regardless of the claim’s outcome.
However, proposed changes from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services aim to tighten the screws – pausing work permits during long delays, adding biometric checks, backing fees to deter frivolous claims and going back to the “remain in Mexico” rule.
Supporters of the new rules say they are long overdue. If the asylum system is going to mean anything again and not be purposefully abused by the Democrats, these reforms can’t sit on a shelf – they need to be implemented immediately and enforced consistently. At this stage, delay isn’t just inaction – it’s an open invitation to keep the cycle going – and that’s what the left is hoping for.