Contact:
Alexah Rogge
202-225-6611
alexah.rogge@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Fulcher issued the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s new rule on the asylum process.
“The asylum claims process is being used as a major loophole for illegal immigrants to enter the United States. Between all of the immigration courts in the United States, the average grant rate to those who actually are eligible for asylum, is 11%. That means 89% of illegal immigrants claiming asylum, many being released into the United States while they await their court date, are not eligible for asylum and likely will not bother going to their court date to be rejected.
Further, the United States is not the last option for many claiming asylum to enter. Frequently, they have passed through multiple countries, where they do not seek protection or asylum-- instead, waiting until they reach the United States to officially seek asylum. Seeking asylum is something that is done to escape atrocities in a country and supposedly very time sensitive -- not something that you shop around for the best deal and pass through multiple countries to find.
This joint rule from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security is being released under clear authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to address both of these issues. I am grateful for the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to secure our border and enforce the rule of law in the United States.”
Read the full press release from the Department of Homeland Security here.
###