Trump’s new asylum rules defy US, international law

NEW YORK – President Trump ordered Friday that migrants crossing illegally into the U.S. via the Mexican border “be ineligible to be granted asylum,” claiming America’s immigration system suffers from an “overloading” that’s only getting worse.

That presidential proclamation is already facing legal challenge and may well be struck down.

Angelo Guisado is a staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights:

“The statute governing who can apply for asylum and where, 8 U.S. Code § 1158, is very clear that an individual who states a credible fear of return to their home country can apply whether or not they apply at a port of entry, or if they cross between ports of entry.”

Christy Delafield, the director of communications at Mercy Corps, says America’s international legal obligations are just as unambiguous.