United Nations: US border plan threatens to undermine basic human rights

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Wednesday that a new plan to control US borders threatens to undermine the foundations of universal human rights and refugee law.

"The right to seek asylum is a human right, regardless of where people come from, their immigration status or how they arrive at an international border," Türk said in a statement.

Last Thursday, the White House announced a new plan to impose restrictions on the right to asylum, as well as the issuance of an additional 30,000 residence permits per month for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the countries that currently record the largest influx of illegal immigrants.

Up to 30,000 migrants will be allowed into the United States each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, but they will have to arrive by air so as not to overburden border guards on the ground.

In contrast, those who cross the border illegally would be sent back more easily, according to the White House.

Türk warned that the new measures "appear to contravene the prohibition of collective expulsion and the principle of non-refoulement."

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