Trump Admin Overhauls Asylum Process to Fast-Track Deportations

The Trump administration published a new regulation on July 27, 2026, allowing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to refer hundreds of thousands of asylum applicants directly to deportation proceedings without conducting interviews. The rule eliminates the long-standing practice of offering interviews to asylum applicants already in the United States, despite the agency claiming there is no statutory right to an interview. Once referred to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), cases deemed 'legally deficient' may be pretermitted, allowing deportation without a hearing. The rule also permits asylum officers to deny asylum as a matter of discretion without first determining eligibility and removes requirements for credibility assessments. The regulation was implemented without prior warning or a public comment period, likely inviting legal challenges under the Administrative Procedures Act. Critics, including the American Immigration Council, argue this violates due process and will prevent many applicants from arguing their cases.