The Trump administration is on a mission to overhaul the rights of asylum seekers, and experts are raising alarm bells, stating that these proposed changes could virtually destroy the global refugee system set up after World War II.
According to an article by Reuters, backed by internal documents from the State Department, the administration envisions a new standard where asylum seekers would need to ask for protection in the very first country they reach. This means they won’t have the option to choose their preferred location. On top of that, their asylum status would be temporary as that country decides when it’s safe for them to return to their homeland.
Plans are also underway to discuss these changes during an upcoming event at the UN General Assembly.
Administration officials have openly expressed their desire to dismantle the international asylum rights that took shape following WWII. Historically, the U.S. has sidelined refugees, such as many Jewish individuals escaping the Nazi regime during the Holocaust, denying them entry.
Andrew Veprek, Trump’s pick for the State Department’s refugee division, claimed in a recent confirmation hearing that the misuse of refugee systems is a key factor contributing to illegal migration. However, this statement overlooks the real root causes, which typically involve violent conditions in their home countries, socioeconomic issues, and climate change-related disasters.
Veprek stated, “The current setup of international agreements and migration norms dates back to a very different geopolitical and economic reality. The expected functionality in today’s world has proved insufficient.”
This administration’s actions have already greatly weakened asylum rights by attempting to keep a vast majority of refugees from entering the U.S. Their policy has notably shifted to favor allowing entry for specific groups like white South Africans—a move criticized for its blatant racism.
This new proposal is yet another obstacle for those fleeing from oppression, chaos, and danger in an already tough global environment for refugees. Each year, thousands lose their lives while trying to find safe havens in other countries. Advocates argue that this crisis could be eased with more open immigration policies and efforts to tackle the underlying violence and economic issues prompting people to flee.
Kenneth Roth, a recognized human rights advocate and former Human Rights Watch executive director, harshly criticized the proposal, saying, “Trump is set on gutting the right to seek asylum, compelling refugees to seek shelter in often dangerous first countries and branding their requests as temporary, leaving them without any stability to rebuild their lives. Other nations must not support this plan.”
This framework is notably similar to some of the U.S.’s most restrictive and unlawful transit bans regarding asylum seekers, which signify a sharp rightward shift in immigration policies over recent years. Furthermore, Europe has tightened its borders and become increasingly less welcoming toward immigrants. Recent reports indicate the UK’s Home Secretary is also looking to reform the universally accepted rights of asylum, pushing for even stricter regulations.
Source: Truthout. Co-published with permission.Subscribe to receive a free edition of ZMagazine, event invites, and our weekly digest.
