Washington, DC-On Monday, a 30-day public comment period began regarding the Trump administration’s 161-page draft regulation that would severely restrict the country’s asylum policies. The proposed rule change is the next front of the administration’s assault on the country’s humanitarian immigration system. The proposed rule raises the standard of proof for migrants hoping to obtain asylum and allows immigration judges to deny applications for protection without giving migrants an opportunity to present their case in court.
After the new regulation was published in the Federal Register, Steve Choi, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, issued the following statement.
“The newest asylum regulation drives a nail through the heart of America’s long history of offering a safe haven for those fleeing violence and persecution. For three-and-a-half years Trump has actively and cruelly disregarded any commitment to international law and the country’s humanitarian obligations. Each of the administration’s actions are aimed at accomplishing Trump’s long term goal of blocking brown and black people from the country. We encourage everyone to submit a comment, and we urge our elected leaders not to let this egregious assault on American values go unanswered.”
Public comments can be submitted here.
Background
Over the past few months, there have also been more than a dozen changes to the immigration system as a result of the coronavirus pandemic: immigration hearings have been postponed, refugee admissions put on pause and migrants, including children, have largely been barred from entering the United States. Last month, the administration extended a coronavirus border rule that effectively blocked nearly 43,000 migrants from seeking asylum at the southwest border, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data released last week. In April, President Trump issued an executive order temporarily suspending the issuance of green cards to many outside the United States and is expected to limit certain visas issued to immigrants seeking temporary work in the country.