Biden moves forward with 140 changes that benefit immigrants including asylum petitions.

The government of President Joe Biden has implemented 140 changes in immigration policies and prepares more on asylum, in order to expeditiously respond to requests.

" The Biden administration has been extremely active in the area of ​​immigration and has made, by decree, more than 140 changes in immigration policy ," said Jessica Bolter of the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

This has helped to reverse more than 400 changes made by the government of President Donald Trump , according to an analysis of that organization, although other reports indicate that the modifications of the Republican could be more than 900.

Last Tuesday, the White House Office of Management and Budget published an announcement that it will soon request public comment on the new rules that the government will propose, which is a sign of a more stable process, he told Bolter.

"The fact that the Biden administration plans to act through the notification process and comment period for this rule that it will propose (for asylum) shows that it tries to follow the entire process to the letter," he explained. "This is important because it means that it will likely be more difficult for your opponents to nullify it."

The expert pointed out that although former President Trump made hundreds of changes, these were "interim", which is why they are more vulnerable to lawsuits in court and can be annulled by the current government.

Those who advocate for immigrants were "pleased" that the government will issue these rules and thus they will be able to present their comments, said Victoria Neilson, of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

"It is clear that a new policy is coming, but it is difficult to know what exactly it will stipulate," he added. "Possible changes the government is considering include the way asylum claims are adjudicated."

Currently, the cases of foreigners who cross the border illegally and request asylum go to the consideration of immigration judges, which means that they add up to more than 1.3 million backlogged cases and it can take years before there is a decision.

Neilson explained that one possibility in the new rules is that asylum officials be allowed the initial adjudication of asylum claims and other forms of humanitarian protection to avoid that delay.