Normally, the problem that many immigration lawyers face is that the process is too slow, with it often being difficult to get court dates for hearings in a reasonable timeframe. However, with this new policy they face the exact opposite problem: the process is so speedy that they don’t have time to collect witnesses or evidence to back up their clients’ claims. Judy London, the directing attorney of the immigrants’ rights project at the pro bono law firm Public Counsel in Los Angeles, went so far as to say to
the Associated Press that they are pushing some families through “without due process.”
Aside from interfering with immigrant families’ ability to put their cases together, the new policy also seeks to prevent families from having the opportunity to settle in their new communities. Often, due to the sluggishness of the typical immigration process, many people seeking asylum in the United States will have months to set down roots, get work permits, and begin to integrate into their nearby community before their case is heard and decided. Naturally, this makes it harder to remove these asylees, even if their application is ultimately denied. By denying them that opportunity, it makes it easier, from an emotional and practical perspective, to simply send the migrant families back to their country of origin.
If you are a non-citizen looking to make an asylum application, or are having trouble with any other immigration issue, please call the attorneys at Bretz & Coven LLP. We will help you through the difficult process of applying for asylum status, protecting your rights and giving you the best chance possible at attaining legal residency. To schedule a consultation with our New York immigration lawyers, call (212) 267-2555.