Trump rule could speed asylum-seeker deportations

The Trump administration instituted a rule change on Tuesday that could fast-track deportations of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers.

Under the new rule, some asylum applications will be sent directly to Justice Department immigration judges without a prior interview by an asylum officer with US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Department of Homeland Security said the change is intended to reduce the backlog of pending asylum cases. DHS said up to 444,724 cases, or 31 percent of the 1.43 million-case asylum backlog, may be affected.

DHS said the current system “essentially allows an alien to get a second chance at asylum” and that the rule will shorten the time needed for asylum officers and immigration judges to adjudicate applications.

USCIS director Joseph Edlow said the asylum system had been exploited for delay and work authorisation rather than legitimate protection claims. DHS general counsel James Percival said the rule would improve efficiency and help fulfil President Donald Trump's pledge to crack down on illegal immigration.

Trump campaigned on a promise to expel millions of undocumented migrants and has taken actions since returning to the White House aimed at speeding up deportations and reducing border crossings.