south america
Biden's new border policy endangers climate migrants in severe heat
Amid extreme heat in the southwest, President Biden's recent border policy endangers asylum seekers fleeing climate disasters.
In short:
- Biden's order closes the southern border to most asylum seekers when daily crossings exceed 2,500, risking heat-related illnesses and deaths.
- The policy forces migrants to wait in extreme conditions, with limited exceptions for entry.
- Critics argue the directive undermines climate-driven migration relief and is politically motivated.
Key quote:
“This executive order being issued at this time is an additional cruelty that will force more people into dangerous conditions where they’re exposed to a really severe climate impact.”
— Ahmed Gaya, director of the Climate Justice Collaborative at the National Partnership for New Americans
Why this matters:
Biden's policy could worsen health risks for migrants as climate change increases global temperatures. It contradicts previous promises to prioritize climate-related migration, raising concerns about the administration's commitment to climate justice.
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