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U.S. NEWS Thursday 20 december 2018

Judge blocks restrictions on who can apply for asylum

WASHINGTON (AP) — A ance had followed the
federal judge on Wednes- requirements for asylum un-
day blocked Trump ad- der U.S. law.
ministration policies that "We are reviewing our op-
prevented immigrants who tions with regard to this rul-
suffered gang violence ing, and we will continue
or domestic abuse in their to restore the rule of law in
home countries from seek- our immigration system," he
ing asylum. said.
U.S. District Court Judge Trump administration offi-
Emmet Sullivan declared cials say the asylum process
that some of the guidance is being exploited by immi-
that then-Attorney Gen- grants who are counting on
eral Jeff Sessions issued this passing the initial credible-
year cannot be used to fear screening and being
determine whether an im- released into the country.
migrant has a credible fear Only about 9 percent of all
of persecution or torture in people who initially claim
their home countries, the asylum are granted it, and
first step to making an asy- tens of thousands of fami-
lum claim in the U.S. lies from Central America
The judge said the admin- are coming to the U.S. ev-
istration's policy on asylum ery month.
seekers violates federal im- The immigration policy
migration law and that "it is change had an immediate
the will of Congress -- not impact.
the whims of the executive" Immigration lawyers say
that sets the standards for people whom they ex-
expedited removal. pected would pass credi-
It was yet another legal ble-fear screenings began
blow for President Donald to fail them, and lawyers In this Dec. 18, 2018 photo, Honduran asylum seekers enter the U.S. at San Diego's Otay Mesa port
Trump's efforts to harden say immigration judges are of entry, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico.
immigration policies with- signing off on more denials Associated Press
out Congress changing during appeals, effectively
laws. Another case in- ending what could have on behalf of 12 parents and them. The lawsuit says migrants fleeing for their
volving whether migrants been a yearslong asylum children who were wrongly Grace was found not to lives," said Jennifer Chang
can claim asylum if they process before it began. found not to have a cred- have a credible fear of per- Newell, managing attorney
crossed the border illegally But Trump officials also ible fear of return. Sullivan's secution. of the ACLU's Immigrants'
was in court Wednesday say the number of people ruling impacts thousands The judge also ordered the Rights Project, who argued
in San Francisco. A judge claiming credible fear has of cases where immigrants government to return any the case.
has temporarily stopped risen dramatically. are in expedited removal of the plaintiffs who may The judge who issued the
that November policy Asylum can be granted to proceedings. have been deported back ruling attracted attention
change, and Wednesday's people who were perse- Among the plaintiffs was a to the U.S., and prevent fur- on day earlier for his public
proceedings were to de- cuted in their home coun- woman identified only by ther deportations. excoriation of former Trump
termine whether that stay try or could be persecuted a pseudonym, Grace. The "This ruling is a defeat for administration adviser Mi-
should be continued. The if forced to return. Thou- ACLU said Grace's partner the Trump administration's chael Flynn, saying he felt
administration has asked sands of people seek asy- beat her and her children, all-out assault on the rights disgusted and disdainful of
the Supreme Court to allow lum each month at U.S. and sexually assaulted her of asylum seekers. The gov- Flynn's crimes. He allowed
that asylum policy to go Customs and Border Pro- and her daughter. Once, ernment's attempt to oblit- Flynn to postpone his sen-
forward. tection stations along the the ACLU says, her daugh- erate asylum protections is tencing so Flynn could
Responding to Sullivan's rul- southwest border. ter suffered a miscarriage unlawful and inconsistent continue cooperating with
ing, a Justice Department The American Civil Liberties after he attacked her. The with our country's long- investigators and get credit
spokesman, Steven Staf- Union sued the government lawsuit says police did not standing commitment to that could allow him to
ford, said Sessions' guid- over the June 11 change act when she contacted provide protection to im- avoid prison.q