Trump suspends the American asylum system, triggering a legal / newspapers / Washington / J. Mansour / Morning Edition / President Trump battle has suspended the US asylum system by the executive order, citing an “invasion” on the border. This decision has left thousands of migrants in legal limbo and has launched legal challenges from rights defense groups. The deportations have increased, many sent to third countries such as Costa Rica.
Trump suspends the asylum system, sparkling the legal battle: Quick look
- Trump suspended the American asylum system on January 20His first day of his second term.
- Migrants are expelled without interviewsSome sent to third countries such as Costa Rica.
- Legal defenders claim that deportations occur without regular procedurecreating generalized confusion.
- Right’s defense groups call for “illegal and unprecedented” orderas the proceedings degenerate.
- A federal court weighs if the invasion claims Can be used to get around the asylum law.
- The daily arrests of borders remain more than 200Despite the net reductions compared to the levels of 2024.
- Lawyers report a spectacular drop in asylum applicationsUncertain how to advise customers.
- Migrants say they are expelled without audiencesincluding a family of Russian denunciation.
- Administration uses Costa Rica and Panama as transit zonesWhile the deportations are finalized.
- Trump defends movement as a repression of “abuses”citing problems of national security and fraud.
Trump suspends the asylum system to us, triggering a legal battle
Deep look
In a radical immigration movement a few hours before his second term, President Donald Trump suspended the American asylum system on January 20, triggering confusion, fear and a wave of deportations through the southern border. Migrants who once had a legal avenue to seek refuge are now confronted with an uncertain future, legal experts calling for the current environment “without law” and rights defense groups which set up ferocious legal challenges.
Asylum seekers around the world – notably Eritrea, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Ghana, Pakistan and Russia – are now refused or expelled without audiences, interviews or a chance to assert their cause. Lawyers say they have seen a sudden collapse of legal standards, where long-standing protections under the United States and international law are rejected.
“No interview, no explanation”
One of the affected people is a Russian electoral worker who fled after having documented electoral fraud. He and his family spent nine months waiting for an asylum interview in Mexico, only to have it canceled suddenly after Trump took office.
“No one asked me what had happened,” he said. “We felt betrayed.”
The family was then detained during a border post in San Diego and expelled in Costa Rica – a country they had never visited.
“We have done everything properly,” he said, still living in the limbo with his wife and his son.
According to lawyers and activists, the current system is marked by inconsistencies, a secret and rapid moves. “It is really difficult to advise anyone”, said Paulina Reyes-Perrariz of the immigrant Defenders Law Center, adding that her office has seen asylum requests to zero.
Mont Legal Challenges
The suspension of asylum has launched a dispute cascade, led by the American Civil Liberties Union and other rights organizations. In a key case awaiting the federal court, a judge is invited to decide whether the use by Trump of a “invasion” justification – a language generally reserved for war – can legally replace asylum protections.
The administration maintains that its actions are “Non -revisable political decisions.” Activists call for unconstitutional and dangerous complaint. “This proclamation is as illegal as it is unprecedented,” wrote the ACLU in its legal memory.
Although the illegal border crossings have decreased sharply since the last year of President Joe Biden, on 200 people are still arrested daily try to cross. We still do not know how many of them ask for asylum or what happens to them once he is detained.
Expulsion to third countries
To accelerate the moves, the Trump administration has expanded the use of third countries as Costa Rica and Panama as temporary retention zones for deportees. More than 500 migrants have already been sent to these nations in recent months.
Officials describe countries as “bridges”, where migrants are waiting for return to their country of origin or third -party destinations. Critics say that the practice exposes people vulnerable to danger and deletes them from legal surveillance.
Move the story of American immigration
Trump defended the suspension as necessary to fill the gaps and prevent the abuse of the system. Supporters argue that numerous asylum complaints are fraudulent and that the United States has been enjoyed by economic migrants.
Even some moderate politicians have expressed their concern about the integrity of the system. The former member of the Democrat Congress Barney Frank wrote in 2024 that the asylum process had become an invitation to delay the deportation indefinitely.
However, for those who flee the persecution, the sudden closure has created despair. “They have no way of pleading their file,” said Bella Mosselmans, director of the Global Strategic Litigation Council. “It’s not just illegal – it’s inhuman.”
A life in limbo
For the Russian family now blocked in Costa Rica, life is defined by uncertainty. The father teaches his Russian and English son while organizing volleyball matches to stay busy. He said that he had no resentment towards the United States but that he is haunted by guilt.
“I failed them,” he said quietly. “I think every day.”
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