A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump's ban on asylum applications at the border is unlawful, dealing a significant blow to the administration's immigration crackdown. The three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, found that existing laws, particularly the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), guarantee individuals the right to seek asylum.

Trump issued the asylum ban via proclamation on January 20, 2025, the first day of his second term. However, the court questioned whether the president had the authority to unilaterally suspend asylum, stating that Congress did not intend to grant the executive such expansive removal powers.

The ruling declared the proclamation and related guidance unlawful to the extent they circumvent INA procedures and override federal laws protecting the right to apply for asylum. The decision upheld a lower court's ruling, though the White House has signaled plans to appeal, likely to the full appellate court and eventually the Supreme Court.

Immigration was a cornerstone of Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, with promises to repel what he called an 'invasion' at the southern border. Asylum in the US is available to those facing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group membership, and is recognized as a fundamental human right under international law.

Unauthorized border crossings surged under President Joe Biden, who also imposed asylum restrictions. Nearly 945,000 asylum applications were filed in 2023. The Trump administration argues the ban falls within presidential constitutional powers, but the court panel concluded the INA does not authorize the president to create his own removal procedures or suspend asylum rights.

Source: www.aljazeera.com