Congressman Biggs' Statement on Trump Administration's Rule Change to Address Asylum Law Abuse

GILBERT, ARIZONA – Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced a major rule change designed to reduce asylum abuse at our southern border. Under the rule, most migrants will be ineligible for asylum if they passed through Mexico or another Central American country that isn't their home country before reaching the United States without applying for and being denied protection. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:

"I applaud President Trump's commitment to securing the border, encouraging Mexico to crack down on illegal immigration, and closing the loopholes that are exploited by hundreds of thousands of aliens and cartels. Yesterday's announcement from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will disincentivize the abuse of our asylum laws by requiring most migrants to first seek asylum in countries they transit before they are eligible to apply for asylum in the United States.

"In May, I, and a number of my House colleagues, sent a letter to Acting U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, recommending similar actions to enforce safe-third country laws. The crisis at the border can be solved, but only if Congress joins the President in making meaningful reforms to secure the border and eliminating these loopholes for illegal entry. I will continue to work in the House towards this end."

Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.