US President Joe Biden’s move this week to block migrants at the US-Mexico border aims to reduce record crossings and shield him from Republican criticism but is a turn away from his campaign promise to restore access to asylum.

Initial backlash to Biden’s policy shift also signals it could be challenged in court, from both those who favor restricting immigration and advocates for asylum seekers.

Savitri Arvey, senior policy adviser at advocacy group Women’s Refugee Commission, said the Venezuela program favored more affluent migrants with U.S. connections and passports, and “didn’t address the needs of the most vulnerable people.”

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