The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to dismiss the asylum applications of potentially hundreds of thousands of migrants, placing them at immediate risk of deportation. This initiative marks one of the most far-reaching efforts yet to dismantle the U.S. asylum system and accelerate mass deportations.
According to multiple sources, the administration plans to target individuals who entered the United States unlawfully and later applied for asylum—many of whom have lived and worked in the country for years. By closing their cases without adjudication, the government would render them deportable without the due process typically afforded under U.S. law.
This latest move comes amid mounting pressure on federal immigration authorities to deliver record-breaking enforcement numbers. To that end, officials have been working quietly to expand the scope of who is subject to expedited removal. It could affect over 250,000 asylum seekers, based on government data showing that roughly a quarter of applicants self-reported unlawful entry prior to filing.
A Dangerous Shift in USCIS Authority
What makes this policy particularly unprecedented is the role now being assigned to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Traditionally tasked with adjudicating immigration benefits, USCIS has long been considered a service-oriented agency, separate from the enforcement functions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
That wall of separation is now eroding.
The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly delegated new authority to USCIS, allowing it to initiate fast-track deportation proceedings—without the involvement of an immigration judge—and to enforce both civil and criminal immigration violations. This represents a stark departure from established protocols and raises significant due process concerns.
Even some within the agency are sounding the alarm. The union representing USCIS employees has voiced strong opposition, emphasizing that asylum seekers are entitled to protections under U.S. and international law, regardless of how they entered the country.
Impact on Communities, Families, and Employers
Advocates warn that the administration's decision will cause irreparable harm not only to individuals but also to the communities that depend on them. Many of the targeted asylum seekers have lived in the U.S. for years, obtained work authorization, and become integral to local economies. They pay taxes, raise families, and contribute to civic life.
Stripping away their opportunity to seek asylum—without a hearing or individualized review—undermines the core principles of fairness and justice. Asylum is not a loophole; it is a legal right codified in the Immigration and Nationality Act and recognized by international treaty obligations.
Terminating cases en masse will not only disrupt lives but also flood an already overwhelmed immigration enforcement system. Worse still, it sends a chilling message to other immigrants considering lawful avenues to remain in the United States: that no process is safe from political manipulation.
Due Process Should Not Be Optional
This policy shift reflects a broader pattern of undermining humanitarian protections. In recent years, numerous programs aimed at safeguarding vulnerable migrants—such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—have been rolled back or terminated. Now, even those who played by the rules by submitting asylum claims through USCIS are finding themselves summarily dismissed.
As immigration attorneys, we at Saluja Law are deeply troubled by this assault on the asylum process. Every person fleeing persecution deserves the chance to present their claim fully and fairly. Dismissing cases without a hearing violates due process, damages trust in the immigration system, and betrays our national commitment to human rights.
We will continue to advocate for our clients and all those caught in the crosshairs of this unlawful policy. If you or a loved one are affected by this development, please contact our office immediately to discuss your rights and possible legal remedies.
Saluja Law
Defending Immigrant Rights.
www.salujalaw.com | Charleston, WV | (304) 755-1101