'Asylum Ban' Exception Sought For Some Migrants Waiting At Ports

Published: Thursday, September 26, 2019 - 4:17pm
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Immigrant rights groups want a federal judge to block the Trump administration from enforcing the so-called asylum ban on migrants waiting to seek protection at a port of entry.

The effort is part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit in California, and it deals with asylum-seekers who started waiting at ports of entry before the asylum ban took effect.

The new rule blocks most migrants from U.S. asylum, if they passed through a third country without seeking protection.

In a press call with reporters, Royce Murray, managing director of programs at the American Immigration Council, said asylum seekers face punishment for doing what the government told them to do, which was to wait in line.

“If we want people to follow the rules, then they have to be consistent and clear. Instead we’re constantly changing them, creating chaos and opportunities for smugglers to capitalize on,” Murray said.

The groups said they’ve asked the judge to make a decision by Oct. 21.

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