News comment: UNHCR reiterates concern about US asylum regulations

The following statement is attributable to Mr. Matthew Reynolds, UNHCR Representative to the United States and the Caribbean

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, restates its profound concern as the U.S. government moves to make permanent its June 2024 asylum regulation. The regulation severely curtails access to protection for people fleeing conflict, persecution, and violence, putting many refugees and asylum seekers in grave danger without a viable option for seeking safety. 

Every person seeking asylum must be granted access to safety and afforded the opportunity to have their claims individually and fairly assessed before deportation or removal. Limiting or blocking such access is a violation of international refugee law and the humanitarian principles to which the United States has long been a leader.

UNHCR remains committed to collaborating with the U.S. in support of much needed reforms to enhance the fairness, efficiency, and capacity of its asylum and border management systems. The United States has a long history of offering refuge and it is crucial that it continues to uphold its legacy as a beacon of protection for those in need. That is why UNHCR continues to call on the U.S. to reconsider these measures and ensure that no person seeking protection is unjustly turned away or put at risk of harm.

For more information, please contact:

• In Washington: Kathryn Mahoney, [email protected], +1 347 574 6552