x
Breaking News
More () »

US begins tough new policy on asylum seekers

Trump administration officials say they have started to implement a new policy that effectively denies asylum to most migrants at the Southern border.

WASHINGTON — Trump administration officials say they have started to implement a new policy that effectively denies asylum to most migrants at the Southern border, in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on the policy.

A spokeswoman for the Homeland Security agency that conducts asylum interviews says the policy will be retroactive to July 16, when the initial rule was announced.

The new rules deny asylum to anyone coming to the U.S.-Mexico border who has not already sought the protection first in another country.

RELATED: Supreme Court allows broad enforcement of asylum limits

RELATED: Gay married couple sues after daughter denied US citizenship

Credit: AP
FILE - In this April 29, 2019 file photo, Cuban migrants are escorted by Mexican immigration officials in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, as they cross the Paso del Norte International bridge to be processed as asylum seekers on the U.S. side of the border. Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 that Mexico's government doesn't agree with an "astonishing" U.S. Supreme Court order that would block migrants from countries other than Mexico and Canada from applying for asylum at U.S. borders. (AP Photo/Christian Torres, File)

Advocates had sued and the policy was on hold, but the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday it could be implemented while the challenge is heard.

Most asylum seekers pass an initial screening called a "credible fear" interview. Under the new policy, they would fail the test unless they sought asylum in at least one country they traveled through and were denied.

RELATED: ICE agents pen letter: 'We want the American public to know the truth'

RELATED: Customs: Bahamian girl in US custody unaccompanied by family

Before You Leave, Check This Out