The recent Trump administration proposal

Over the past three years, the current administration of the US has increased regulations for asylum applications and multiple restrictions have recently been implemented.

In fact, in early July, 2020, the Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), proposed a new rule for asylum applications.

Broadly speaking, the official statement declares that asylum officers can reject applications if immigrants have health conditions that pose a threat to the US territory or to the local population.

In other words, the Trump administration plans to reject asylum applications if there is any risk of a possible pandemic virus, transmissible diseases, or any other underlying conditions that could harm the health of American citizens.

The current administration of the US argues that after the sudden arrival of the global Coronavirus pandemic, border and immigration agencies must prevent the entry of people who may worsen the current situation or who put the health of the local population at risk.

In addition to that, because the country is still the main epicenter of the pandemic, the government proposes this rule to protect the health system and avoid a possible saturation.

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Political asylum officers oppose this new rule

On Monday, August 10, 2020, a group of officers who work in the area of applications for political asylum at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), presented an official statement, expressing their disagreement with the new rule proposed by the Trump administration.

In fact, in the official statement, the USCIS employees argue: “The promise of safety and an opportunity to build a permanent life without persecution is a part of our nation’s moral fabric (…) That system endured for decades across multiple administrations, ensuring that refugees would not be returned to territories where they could be persecuted or tortured.”

Asylum officers assure that the new rule violates the North American promise. They also state that it does not protect the health of the local population nor prevent the entry of pandemic viruses, but that it is only part of the immigration agenda of the current administration.

They argue that “The deportation of asylum-seekers based on purported public health concerns to places where they may be persecuted is contrary to our longstanding tradition of providing a safe haven to the persecuted. The Proposed Rule should not be adopted.”

The Trump administration’s response

The Trump government has yet to respond to this official statement from asylum officers.

However, it is imperative for the current administration to thoroughly review the possible repercussions of this new rule, to avoid endangering the lives of immigrants who seek international protection through political asylum or refuge in a first world country, such as the US.

Prepare your immigration case correctly

If you have an application for political asylum or any other immigration case, it is important for you to seek help from professionals and avoid possible rejection by the USCIS.

In addition to that, due to the health crisis, some processes have changed substantially. However, if you have the constant accompaniment of experts, you will not lose hope of migrating to the US.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.