DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas said that Customs and Border Protection will handle asylum claims by Ukrainian and Russian nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border on a case-by-case basis.
ABC News’ Matt Gutman spoke with refugees in Ukraine and Poland as they made their way from war torn cities, to safety amid the uncertainty.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that Customs and Border Protection will handle asylum claims by Ukrainian and Russian nationals at the U.S.-Mexico border on a case-by-case basis.the Biden administration alleging it has been turning away both Ukrainian and Russian refugees from ports of entry along the southern border.
"For example, if someone makes a claim under the Convention Against Torture, or an individual presents to the Border Patrol agents, a case of acute of vulnerability such as a medical condition or otherwise," he said, adding the department has sent refugee affairs officers to Eastern Europe. Alejandro Mayorkas, left, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, arrive for a discussion which included the Russian invasion of Ukraine, during the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference in Philadelphia, March 10, 2022."The vast majority of Ukrainians are displaced in the countries in that region with the hope understandably of being able to return to their country," he said.
He also did not give any estimates on how many Ukrainian refugees he expects to attempt to get into the U.S.Mayorkas said DHS has issued guidance to all CBP officers on the border reminding them of the exceptions to the Title 42 authority and how it relates to Ukrainian nationals"and everyone else" attempting to make credible fear claims at the southern border.