June 3, 2020— This week, the Trump Administration proposed a new immigration rule that would effectively end asylum in the United States.
“This proposed regulation tightens eligibility standards for asylum-seekers to the point where it will be nearly impossible to qualify, and thus ending humanitarian protection as an option for immigrants,” says Galorah Keshavarz, immigration attorney, advocate, and RIT Board member. “The regulation that is intended to take effect Mid-July will change asylum law entirely.”
“Firstly, the regulation will block virtually all who pass through more than one country on their way to the United States (without pursuing relief in those countries), even if it is for a layover,” Galorah explains. “It will rewrite current asylum law to eliminate multiple grounds under which people are currently afforded asylum, and most outrageously, it will grant immigration judges the power to deny people their day in court by rejecting applications without a hearing. This goes against every fiber of our judicial system.”
Learn More:
The proposed rule changes are to be published in the Federal Register on June 15. The public will be able to leave comments. We will reach out next week with an action alert! (Please also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.)
Thank you so much for standing with asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants!
In solidarity.
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Team