Biden v. Trump: Part 2. Differences on Asylum Policy.

Biden v. Trump: Differences on Asylum Policy.

By Christopher Kerosky 

Perhaps the starkest difference between Trump and Obama/Biden has been with respect to asylum policy.  

Trump has implemented a broad-based set of restrictive laws and policies toward asylum applicants including:

•       blocking many individuals from eligibility for asylum by changing policies to exclude victims of 

sexual abuse, domestic violence or gang violence abroad;

•       forcing asylum applicants to wait long periods in Customs & Border Protection camps at the U.S. border 

or in Mexico; during the last six months, the Administration has simply closed the border to asylum 

applicants completely, citing the COVID crisis.

•       Using the Department of Justice to restructure the immigration law bench by appointing predominantly 

former ICE officials as judges, and expediting deportation proceedings for asylum applicants.   

If he becomes President, Biden has promised to reverse much of this, including a promise to 

“support steps to make immigration courts 

more independent.” https://joebiden.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/UNITY-TASK-FORCE-RECOMMENDATIONS.pdf

COVID-19 UPDATE: ASYLUM OFFICE TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL MAY 4, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: ASYLUM OFFICE TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL MAY 4, 2020 

The San Francisco Asylum Office will remain closed until May 4th, unless there is a need to extend it longer. All asylum interviews scheduled during that period will be cancelled and applicants and their representatives should be receiving cancellation notices in a week or so.

During this ongoing public closure, the San Francisco Asylum Office will have staff responding to phone and email inquiries. Representatives with case-specific questions or concerns should feel free to inquire directly with the asylum office.

The new San Francisco Asylum Office phone lines are: (415) 865-3586 and (415) 865-3587. For phone inquiries, leave a voicemail with your name, client's A#, and callback phone number.