U.S. asylum approvals hit two-decade low under Trump changes : NPR

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has implemented multiple policies over the past year that restrict immigrants' ability to claim asylum, leading to the lowest approval rates in two decades and increasing denials both at USCIS and immigration courts.
• A new USCIS rule allows asylum officers to refer applications directly to immigration courts, likely increasing denials and reducing the USCIS backlog by about 30%, though it takes effect immediately amid ongoing public comment.
• The administration has tightened asylum eligibility criteria, imposed new fees, limited benefits like work authorization and healthcare for asylum seekers, and extended waiting periods for work permits, making it harder for applicants to live and work legally while awaiting decisions.
• The Board of Immigration Appeals, largely composed of Trump appointees, has issued numerous precedent-setting decisions that further restrict asylum eligibility, especially concerning gender-based claims, political persecution, and criminal records.
• Advocates warn these combined policies constitute a coordinated effort to deter asylum claims, but many immigrants, including those losing Temporary Protected Status, continue seeking asylum despite increased legal and financial barriers.