Washington – Immigration advocacy groups have sued the Trump administration over a new rule that bans migrants from seeking asylum at the southern border. The lawsuit, filed in a Washington federal court, argues that this policy is illegal and puts people fleeing violence and persecution in danger.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is leading the case, along with the Florence Project, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, and RAICES. They claim the new restrictions violate U.S. immigration laws, which protect asylum seekers from being sent back to dangerous situations.
“The government is doing exactly what Congress said it must not do—forcing asylum seekers, including families, to return to countries where they may face persecution or torture,” the lawyers stated.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the lawsuit. However, the White House defended the policy.
“President Trump was elected to fix immigration laws and secure our borders,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai. “His administration will continue to put Americans first.”
Trump’s Executive Order on Asylum
In his executive order, Trump claimed that the situation at the southern border is an “invasion” and decided to block the entry of migrants until further notice. The order also removed their ability to request asylum.
Trump argued that the Immigration and Nationality Act allows presidents to stop any group from entering the U.S. if they are considered a threat to national interests.
This policy builds on previous changes made during the Biden administration, which restricted asylum for those crossing between official border points. However, Biden had a system that allowed 1,450 people daily to schedule appointments at border crossings to seek asylum. Trump ended that program on his first day in office.
His administration has also begun mass deportations and reversed policies from former President Biden that provided some protections and legal pathways for immigrants.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed
Advocates argue that seeking asylum is a right under U.S. law and that banning it puts vulnerable people in danger. They also point out that the number of migrants entering the U.S. has dropped significantly since August 2020.
“The president is using the false claim of an ‘invasion’ to wipe out asylum protections,” said Lee Gelernt, the ACLU’s lead attorney. “No president, including Trump in his first term, has ever tried to eliminate asylum this way.”
The lawsuit describes Trump’s order as a major overreach of presidential power. It also claims that noncitizens are being quickly expelled, sometimes within hours, without the legal right to seek protection or even make a phone call.
