Washington, Dec 30 (NationPress) The Trump administration is implementing measures to significantly limit asylum access by urging US immigration judges to dismiss cases without hearings and redirect migrants to third countries. Officials claim this shift is aimed at addressing what they call a "significant loophole" in legal immigration, as reported by Politico.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested courts to summarily dismiss asylum applications and send migrants to third countries where they can seek protection, even if they have no previous connections there.

This strategy depends on so-called safe third-country agreements established with nations such as Uganda, Honduras, and Ecuador, according to the news outlet.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce immigration and speed up deportations, as the administration aims to accomplish an ambitious annual removal target.

Asylum applications have surged in recent years, with nearly 900,000 claims pending before immigration courts in fiscal year 2024, compared to approximately 200,000 annually during President Donald Trump's initial term.

"Asylum was not intended to provide individuals a backdoor method to reach a country of their choice," a senior administration official stated, defending the policy.

"If the United States is confident that individuals can be successfully sent to another country where they won't face threats, then there is no justification for them to remain here."

This strategy gained traction in October when the Justice Department's Board of Immigration Appeals directed judges to consider third-country removals before evaluating asylum claims in the United States.

Following this guidance, DHS attorneys requested judges to dismiss nearly 5,000 cases in November, which is more than double the number from October, according to Politico.

Immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations argue that this policy further undermines the humanitarian protections embedded in the US asylum system. "The administration is intent on dismantling our humanitarian protection framework," said Rebekah Wolf from the American Immigration Council. "They aim to eliminate the ability for individuals to apply for asylum in the United States."

Officials from the administration refute these criticisms, asserting that individuals with genuine fears of persecution should prioritize safety over location. "They shouldn't be concerned about a specific location," one official remarked, adding that any legal discrepancies should be addressed in Congress.

The Trump administration has broadened its use of third-country arrangements, including deportations to African nations and a recent agreement with Palau to accept a limited number of migrants in exchange for US aid. Proponents of the policy argue that it restores asylum to its original intent. "It's a method to deter false asylum claims," stated Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies.

DHS contends that the policy is lawful and essential for reducing the immigration court backlog, which officials claim has dropped to below 3.75 million cases.

The administration anticipates nearly 600,000 deportations in its first year, exceeding previous US records.

This policy may particularly impact asylum seekers from India, especially those backed by Sikh separatist groups claiming political oppression.

In recent years, American authorities have experienced a consistent influx of asylum claims from foreign nationals asserting political persecution abroad, including claims associated with separatist movements.

Indian officials have consistently maintained that there is no state-sponsored political repression in Punjab and that such claims misrepresent the realities on the ground.

New Delhi has also raised concerns regarding individuals facing criminal charges in India who allegedly misuse asylum systems abroad—an issue that could be indirectly influenced as Washington tightens asylum entry criteria.