The Closing of America to Asylum Seekers

A decisive shift in U.S. immigration policy under Trump dissected.

When Donald Trump entered the political arena more than ten years ago, curbing immigration and revamping U.S. border policies were key components of his platform.

Fast forward to a year into his second term, events this week in Minneapolis highlight how deeply this focus has defined his presidency, altering the country's path.

One major action has been his overhaul of the asylum system—a legal pathway for those fleeing danger or oppression to enter the U.S. Trump has aggressively pushed to block these asylum-seekers and expel those already present.

Miles Bryan, a guest host on Today, Explained, conversed with Mica Rosenberg, a ProPublica reporter, about the Trump administration's hurdles for asylum seekers, the failure of the system under Biden, and global implications.

Here is a recast of their dialogue, crisp and concise. The full podcast can be heard on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.

Under existing U.S. legislation, individuals fearing return to their native lands can request asylum at the border. This initiates a prolonged legal journey in the U.S. that can last for years.

Trump and his team view this mechanism as a massive flaw. They assert that many who enter through this channel don't genuinely need asylum but are rather economic migrants. As such, they have enacted numerous strategies to dismantle it.

Among these actions is the swift return of individuals to Mexico from the border, or their dispatch to third countries like Panama or Costa Rica, without a chance to seek asylum here.

This approach is among the most innovative and unexpected steps taken by the administration.

Outbound Transfers and Their Implications

Numerous governments have faced difficulties when countries refuse to repatriate their citizens as deportees. During Trump's first tenure, agreements with Central American nations to accept deportees saw limited success.

In this new term, the administration has intensified efforts, securing agreements with around 20 nations, some as distant as South Sudan and Uganda.

In a notorious deportation during Trump's presidency, roughly 230 Venezuelans were sent to a high-security jail in El Salvador, labeled as dangerous criminals. Investigations by ProPublica revealed that most had no crime records in the U.S. They were detained for months before being part of a prisoner trade-off.

Legacy and Challenges of Trump's Reforms

This tactic is largely unprecedented on such a scale and faces legal challenges. However, they are tough to contest since the individuals are beyond U.S. court jurisdiction once deported, putting them in acute situations.

Under Biden, a surge in border arrivals seeking asylum overwhelmed officials. Many were released into the U.S. to await immigration hearings.

Asylum is narrowly reserved for those fleeing persecution tied to race, religion, nationality, political views, or specific social groups. Proving such cases can be challenging without enough evidence upon fleeing danger.

The court system was designed to allow time for claimants to gather necessary evidence. While many facing dire conditions have genuine claims of persecution, economic challenges or instability in their countries sometimes motivate their migration as well.

Believing that nearly all claims are dishonest, the Trump administration has made it exceedingly difficult for genuine asylum seekers to secure safety.

Communication Networks Fuel Migration

Misinformation spreads differently across communities. Some use WhatsApp groups and TikTok influencers to learn about routes to the U.S.

Individuals from South America, India, and parts of Africa pursue this path, hoping to leverage the asylum claim process. However, many risk their lives trekking through treacherous jungles from Colombia to Panama.

African and Indian migrants often incur substantial debts for flights to Nicaragua, continuing overland journeys through Mexico.

The Trump administration's aim for a tightly sealed border has largely been realized, with historic lows in crossings and diminished pathways for legal residence through asylum.

Prospects for Immigration Reform

The current state of immigration policy reflects Congress's long-standing inaction on comprehensive reform. The system remains outdated, with each new president effecting changes via executive orders that are vulnerable to challenges or reversal by the next administration.

Genuine, bipartisan legislative action is essential but appears unlikely given the current political landscape.

Global Implications of U.S. Policy Shifts

All these measures occur amid a global surge in displaced populations fleeing conflict. Trump is not alone—politicians elsewhere are adopting similar anti-immigrant rhetoric, detracting from human rights and asylum commitments.

Traditionally, many nations looked to the U.S. as a human rights champion. However, this policy direction might inspire them to follow America's new course against asylum seekers.