For people in Arizona who are affected by U.S. immigration law, President Donald Trump’s policies have raised a great deal of concern. Political rhetoric has escalated on the issue of immigration, and many people are concerned that their own applications could be negatively impacted as a result. However, there has been a response in the courts; on Nov. 19, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to refuse asylum to people who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without documentation.
The judge heard arguments in the case brought by two civil rights organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights, before issuing a temporary restraining order. On Nov. 9, Trump issued a presidential proclamation saying that people who crossed the southern border outside standard ports of entry would not be eligible to seek asylum. This comes into conflict with standing federal immigration law, which explicitly provides the right to apply for asylum to people who did not enter at standard entry points. If the presidential order is allowed to remain in place, thousands of people fleeing violence may face a more difficult process that could result in deportation.
Every year, around 70,000 people apply for asylum after entering outside official entry ports, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration cited national security as a justification for the order in contradiction of existing federal law. It said that the ongoing migrant caravans present a risk to safety, referencing the caravans in order to justify the asylum ban.
People who are dealing with the immigration system may wonder about the consequences of the administration’s policies for their cases. This is especially true for those seeking asylum from persecution. An immigration lawyer could help a client navigate the system, protect their rights and remain in the United States.