US Expedites Certain Asylum Cases to Immigration Courts

The Trump administration announced a federal rule that speeds up the asylum process for some applicants. Under the rule, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can refer asylum seekers to immigration courts without first conducting a standard interview.

The change applies to individuals who are subject to expedited removal or who have been found to have a credible fear of persecution. Previously, most asylum seekers received an interview with a USCIS officer before their case reached a judge.

Officials said the rule aims to reduce a backlog of asylum cases that has grown to more than 300,000 pending matters in immigration courts. The policy is one of several recent measures by the administration to tighten the asylum system.

Critics argue that skipping interviews could lead to more deportations of people with legitimate claims. The rule is expected to face legal challenges from immigrant advocacy groups.