Barr Rules Asylum-Seekers Can Be Held Indefinitely

[Content Note: Nativism.]

In their latest bid to try to discourage refugees from seeking asylum in the United States, and to punish those who do, Attorney General Bill Barr has stipulated that refugees who pass the initial screening to qualify for asylum can now be held in detention indefinitely while their case is processed.

Specifically, this new rule applies to those who crossed the border illegally and then requested asylum, which covers an increasing number of people as the Trump Regime illegally directs asylum-seekers away from legal ports of entry, in violation of both U.S. and international law.

So, the Trump Regime forces refugees seeking asylum to cross the border illegally, making them subject to deportation, but now says if they pass the initial asylum screening, they can't be released on bond for their own safety, and thus will have to stay in detention, at which point "the Department of Homeland Security alone will have the discretion to decide whether to release immigrants who crossed the border illegally and later claimed asylum."

Barr's ruling could likely affect thousands of migrants apprehended at the border, many of whom are seeking asylum and would be subject to expedited removal.

"Basically if you pass the initial asylum screening you can now be indefinitely detained," said immigration attorney Eileen Blessinger, who called Barr's decision "horrible news."

Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said the organization plans to challenge the decision.

"This is the Trump administration's latest assault on people fleeing persecution and seeking refuge in the United States," Jadwat said in a statement. "Our Constitution does not allow the government to lock up asylum seekers without basic due process. We'll see the administration in court."

Of course, the Supreme Court has now twice ruled, in two separate cases, that immigrants can be indefinitely detained without bond, so there's a strong possibility that they will rule for a third time to deny asylum-seekers their basic rights.

This is very bad news, and it is very bad governance, and it is yet further evidence, as if we needed any, that malice is the agenda.

There is literally no reason for this new rule, except to harm vulnerable people who are seeking safety at our borders, despite the fact that we could and should accommodate them.

But under Donald Trump, we have officially abandoned all decency.