Federal Court Blocks Trump Asylum Ban  

WASHINGTON — A federal court has blocked a Trump administration asylum ban that categorically denied asylum to anyone at the southern border who had transited through a third country en route to the United States, with very limited exceptions.

The American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigrant Justice Center brought one of two cases that were consolidated by the court.

A Ninth Circuit district court in San Francisco previously ruled against the ban, in another challenge brought by the ACLU, which was stayed by the Supreme Court. This current ruling stems from a separate case filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

The following reaction is from:

ACLU attorney Julie Veroff: “The court recognized that the Trump administration unlawfully skipped steps mandated by Congress to ensure transparency in its failed attempt to make an end-run around asylum protections.”

Keren Zwick, director of litigation, National Immigrant Justice Center: “We are thrilled that Judge Kelly has held the administration accountable for failing to follow longstanding procedural rules as it tries to eviscerate the asylum system. The rule had a devastating impact on asylum seekers, and we are glad to see Judge Kelly clearly state that this administration is not above the law even as it tries to villainize refugees.”

Ruling: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/order-asylum-ban