Asylum
ICE Is Detaining More People Than Ever—and for Longer
Between May and July, the average number of days detainees spent in custody went from 28 to 46.
Persecution Based on Family Ties Will No Longer Qualify as Grounds for Asylum, the Attorney General Rules
The decision could affect thousands of asylum seekers fleeing violence, particularly from Central America.
Immigration Courts Are Replacing Interpreters With Orientation Videos
The new measure is intended to reduce costs and accelerate proceedings, but even immigration judges are questioning it.
Can Mexico Qualify as a Safe Third Country?
In 1994, attorney Susan Gzesh wrote in a report that Mexico was not a safe third country. Has anything changed?
Is Trump Planning to Use Guatemala as a Wall?
Trump will meet with Guatemala's president next week, and a "safe third country" agreement is reportedly on the table.
Why Did Border Patrol Arrest Fewer People in June?
New arrest numbers highlight the difficulties experts encounter in interpreting migration patterns.
What Will Happen If Trump Speeds Up the Asylum Process?
Officials say the new plan is built to address backlog issues. But advocates say it will result in fewer people getting asylum.
Asylum Seekers Report Being Victims of Violence While Waiting in Mexico
The "Remain in Mexico" plan promised humanitarian visas and work permits. But asylum seekers are being sent back to dangerous living conditions.
'Irredeemably Dysfunctional and on the Brink of Collapse': A Journey Through Chicago's Immigration Court
Far from the border, Chicago's Immigration Court reveals the failings of the nation's asylum system.
Viewfinder: Activists Rally in San Francisco in Support of Protections for Asylum Seekers
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration outside of the James R. Browning United States Courthouse on June 11th, 2019, in San Francisco, California.
What Does Mexico's Agreement With the United States Mean for Central American Migrants?
While the agreement is being celebrated as a victory by the Mexican government, it may come at the expense of those seeking refuge in the U.S.
Studies Show Fears About Migration and Disease Are Unfounded
Research has found that migrants and refugees don't spread diseases to host populations, though migrants themselves are often at higher risk of illness because of poor living conditions.
The Government's Numbers Show Increasing Border Arrests. Does That Mean the U.S. Is Facing an Illegal Immigration Crisis?
As with any data set, understanding Customs and Border Protection's new statistics means looking at more than just the numbers.
A Court Just Handed Trump an Immigration Victory. What Will It Mean for Asylum Seekers?
A federal court has decided to allow the administration to continue sending asylum seekers back to Mexico as the lawsuit against the Remain in Mexico plan makes its way through the legal system.
Why Is Border Patrol Planning to DNA Test Asylum Seekers?
The Department of Homeland Security will use the tests to identify what it calls fraudulent families. But advocates say the plan raises privacy concerns.
Trump Wants to Train Border Patrol to Conduct Asylum Interviews
The new plan could mean more asylum claims will be denied, according to advocates.
What Will Happen If Trump Cancels Work Permits for Asylum Seekers?
A social worker explains how the president's latest memo could affect asylum seekers as they await the outcome of their court proceedings.
What Detention Does to the Women Fleeing Violence in Central America
For many victims of domestic violence, being detained by customs or border enforcement agencies can re-open or exacerbate past traumas.
Mexico's Mass Arrests of Central American Migrants Follow Years of U.S. Pressure
The story of Mexico's latest crackdown on U.S.-bound Central American migrants began long before Trump's presidency.
ICE's Largest Family Detention Center Is Well Below Capacity
But understanding why the detained population fluctuates so significantly is more complicated than looking at the number of beds.
What Back-and-Forth Decisions on the 'Remain in Mexico' Plan Mean for Asylum Seekers and Their Lawyers
In the last 10 days, the Remain in Mexico plan was blocked by one judge, only for that judge's preliminary injunction to be stayed by another court.
The Attorney General's Latest Decision Could 'Hugely' Expand Immigrant Detention
Attorney General William Barr's decision will make thousands of asylum seekers ineligible for bond—which could significantly increase the number of people ICE tries to detain.
Sanctuary Cities Don't Need to Be Worried About Released Immigrants
As President Trump considers releasing detained immigrants in sanctuary cities, advocates remind residents that the vast majority of detainees have not committed any crime more serious than crossing the border.
A Federal Judge Blocks Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' Plan
A federal judge in San Francisco has issued a preliminary injunction against the Migrant Protection Protocols.