Asylum
Asylum grants legal protection to foreign nationals already in the U.S. or arriving at the border who can’t go back to their home country because of persecution. Learn more about the asylum system in the United States, including how asylum is defined, eligibility requirements, and the difficult and complex application process.
Ninth Circuit Upholds Rights of Asylum Seekers, Rules “Metering” Unlawful
In a decision issued on Oct. 23, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed a lower court decision that found the U.S. government's systemic practice of turning back asylum seekers ("metering") at the U.S.-Mexico border is unlawful. Read More
The Current State of the Border: Crossings Remain Low While Pressure Builds in Southern Mexico
It was only 10 months ago when the U.S. set record highs at the border, with roughly 250,000 migrants taken into Border Patrol custody in December 2023. But today, border apprehensions are running steady at their lowest level in four years, with just 54,000 Border Patrol migrant encounters in… Read More
Court Allows Legal Challenge to CBP One Turnback Policy to Proceed
A case that challenges that U.S. government's policy of turning away asylum seekers who legally approach ports of entry can move forward, a judge ruled. Read More
Extended Harsh Asylum Restrictions Won’t Fix Our Broken Immigration System
We need a balanced approach to addressing challenges at our southern border and our overwhelmed, broken asylum system. Read More
Texas Attorney General Paxton Continues Fight Against NGOs That Serve Migrants
Update on 9/13/24: On August 23rd, Harris County District Judge Ravi K. Sandill denied Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to halt FIEL’s operations and revoke its nonprofit status, effectively stopping the case from moving forward. FIEL Houston is being represented by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)… Read More
Council Comment Supporting the Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period for Certain Renewed Employment Authorization Documents
The American Immigration Council submitted a comment in response to a temporary final rule on the Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”) Renewal Applicants. Read More
Kamala Harris’ Opportunity to Reframe the Immigration Conversation
The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. As the country continues to dissect the ramifications from President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race, the… Read More
Council and AILA submit Comments on Interim Final Rule Restricting Access to Humanitarian Protections at the U.S./Mexico Border
In June of 2024, the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) submitted a joint comment urging the Biden administration to rescind this IFR. Read More
Council and AILA Submit Comment on the Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings
The American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) submitted comments to a Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice proposed rule that would apply certain bars to asylum during asylum seekers' credible and reasonable fear screenings. Read More
Biden’s New Changes to the Asylum Process: What You Need to Know
On June 4, President Biden issued a sweeping order under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act claiming that allows him to “suspend the entry” of most migrants who cross the border between ports of entry, echoing a similar order issued by President Trump in November… Read More
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