The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 27 a new interim rule granting it the authority to send asylum applications directly to immigration court without an interview. The rule allows USCIS employees to forward a case to an immigration judge without meeting with the applicant.
Edlow: 'The system was being abused'
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said in a statement, "For too long, the asylum system has been abused to prolong the process and obtain work permits, rather than to protect those in genuine need of protection." Edlow stated that the new rule would redirect resources to applications that need timely review and prevent the system from being used as a loophole.
Will affect 444,000 applications
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the immediate interim rule is expected to affect 444,724 cases out of a backlog of approximately 1.4 million asylum applications. The Department noted that this change would "more quickly identify and refer for deportation foreigners who pose a threat to public or national security."
Temporary Protected Status also restricted
The new step is seen as part of the Trump administration's mass deportation policies. The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which previously covered hundreds of thousands of people from Haiti, Venezuela, and other countries, had already been terminated. Many immigrants who lost their status applied for asylum.
Strong reaction from human rights organizations
Robin Barnard, vice president for refugee and migrant rights at Human Rights First, said the new rule leaves applicants helpless. Barnard stated, "They are eliminating the right to a fair hearing to reduce the backlog. Their goal is to deny and deport people en masse rather than give them a chance to be heard in court."
Experts say that together with practices such as pressure on immigration courts to quickly reject cases and the sending of applicants to third countries, the new rule significantly reduces the chances of being granted asylum. By using its authority to skip interviews, USCIS means that cases will flow directly to immigration courts, which are under the Department of Justice and under pressure to speed up deportation orders.
