The Trump administration is changing the way certain asylum claims are processed, allowing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to send some applications directly to immigration court without first conducting an asylum interview.
The interim final rule takes effect immediately and applies to affirmative asylum claims filed by individuals who are not already in removal proceedings. Under the new policy, USCIS can refer certain cases to immigration judges without completing the initial interview stage.
The Department of Homeland Security said the existing process can result in some applications being reviewed twice, first by USCIS and then by an immigration judge, contributing to the nation’s growing asylum backlog.
Administration officials said the change will allow asylum officers and immigration judges to process cases more efficiently while directing resources toward applicants with legitimate persecution claims.
