Trump Administration Announces Sweeping New Crackdown on Asylum Seekers

President's action could greatly reduce the number of migrants from Central America eligible to enter the U.S. this way; Barr weighed in on the legality

By PoliZette Staff | July 15, 2019

The Trump administration on Monday announced a sweeping new policy to tighten restrictions on asylum seekers.

It’s an action that potentially could reduce — and reduce drastically — the number of Central American migrants eligible to enter the United States this way.

The new rule, published in the Federal Register, would require most migrants coming across the southern border to first seek asylum in one of the countries they crossed through — whether in Mexico, in Central America, or elsewhere on their journey.

In most cases, only if that application is denied would those people then be able to seek asylum in the United States.

Conservatives are grateful for the new announcement, with many hailing it as a common-sense and much-needed move.

“Tightening the rules for asylum seekers allows legitimate asylum claims to be processed faster. Good for @realDonaldTrump for refusing to kowtow to the keyboard warriors and manufactured outrage crybabies!” wrote Tomi Lahren on Twitter, adding the hashtag “#AmericaFirst.”

And see these other comments:

“Ultimately, today’s action will reduce the overwhelming burdens on our domestic system caused by asylum-seekers failing to seek urgent protection in the first available country, economic migrants lacking a legitimate fear of persecution, and the transnational criminal organizations, traffickers, and smugglers exploiting our system for profits,” said Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan in a statement.

He also described the “targeted changes” as critical.

Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday noted the urgent need for adopting new asylum laws.

As Fox News pointed out in a piece about the development, “the new policy follows the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly referred to as the ‘remain in Mexico’ policy. Under that policy, asylum seekers were often told to go back to Mexico to await hearings, rather than be allowed to remain in the U.S. Democrats railed against that policy, with 2020 hopeful Beto O’Rourke calling it ‘inhumane.'”

In a statement, Attorney General Bill Barr maintained the legality of the move — yet the rule may face a challenge in the courts.

Speaking on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) noted the urgent need for adopting new asylum laws.

Graham said that 30 percent of the individuals who cross into the U.S. with children are “fake families” — and that loopholes are used to let the same children come back over and over, bringing different adults with them each time.

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This piece originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

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