Supreme Court Makes it Harder to Seek Asylum
The U.S. remains a haven for those seeking protection from persecution in their home countries. Thousands of people have claimed asylum over the past 20 years. However, the current administration has expressed hostility in many ways to those seeking protection.
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court blessed one strategy the government has used to reduce the number of asylum applications. Call Empowerment Legal, PLLC to discuss if you can apply for asylum. The good news is that the most recent court decision does not impact those already in the U.S.
Green Light for the Administration’s Crackdown on Asylum
The recent Supreme Court case involved whether Border Patrol could prevent asylum seekers from entering the country at a port of entry to claim asylum. Under a “metering” policy, Border Patrol set a maximum number of people they would inspect on any given day. Once they reached the limit, the government no longer interviewed anyone standing in line. Some people ended up staying in Mexico for weeks or giving up altogether.
Metering was one way to prevent potential asylum seekers from entering the U.S. and claiming asylum. As a result, those who remain outside the U.S. in Mexico cannot receive a credible fear interview. The long wait times could eventually cause many people to return home or try for asylum in a different country.
The legal case before the Supreme Court was technical and turned on whether a migrant standing outside a port of entry was “in” the U.S. for asylum purposes. The Supreme Court said no, so the government might use metering again in the future.
How This Affects You
If you are already in the U.S., you may claim asylum, either offensively or defensively to prevent deportation. Our law firm can help. Some of our clients have faced deportation but request asylum to stop the process.
The most complicated issues our clients face usually involve:
- Proving you have a credible fear of persecution in your home country based on certain characteristics, such as race or religion.
- Convincing the immigration officer in charge of your case that persecution is happening in your home country. Many officers are unaware of the conflicts going on in different parts of the world.
- Establishing your credibility with the officer by telling a consistent story about the threats you have faced.
The current Supreme Court case will not impact you if you are already present in the U.S. However, if you or a loved one is currently outside our borders, then you need a different strategy. It is still possible to claim refugee status while in a foreign country, but the process is different, and you or a loved one would benefit from legal representation.
Contact Empowerment Legal to Speak with Our Immigration Lawyer
Our firm remains committed to the rights of those facing the threat of persecution. The U.S. has long served as a beacon of hope, and our firm can help those seeking asylum or refugee status. Call our law firm to speak with a Jacksonville refugee and asylum applications lawyer.
Source:
npr.org/2026/06/25/nx-s1-5838860/supreme-court-asylum-policy