For Immediate Release Contact: Dan Gordon, 202-383-5996
Sept. 12, 2019

Courts, Not Cartels, Should Determine Asylum

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court issued an unsigned order Wednesday that allows the government to reject nearly all Central American asylum seekers.

The decision allows the Trump administration to move forward with new rules that block asylum seekers who have traveled through another country from applying in the U.S., effectively barring Central Americans and other non-Mexicans from seeking asylum. Courts are reviewing challenges to the rules, but Wednesday’s ruling leaves the rules in effect for the duration of the challenges, which could take years.

“Courts, not cartels, should determine whether someone can live in the U.S. or not,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, who addressed the impact of asylum restrictions in a Foxnews.com op-ed Sunday. “This ruling validates the Trump administration’s mission to close our doors to those most in need. It exacerbates a humanitarian crisis and does nothing to make our country safer.”

Noorani and Policy and Advocacy Director Jacinta Ma are at the U.S.-Mexico border and are available for interviews. To schedule please contact Dan Gordon.
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