ACLU Comment on Central American Families Waiting to Apply for Asylum at Border

WASHINGTON — Fifty asylum-seekers from Central America are waiting at the border near San Diego to be processed by the federal government.

U.S. and international law dictate that noncitizens presenting themselves at the borders have a right to apply for asylum and other forms of protection. There is a rigorous assessment of all asylum claims and a multi-agency vetting process before anyone is granted the right to stay.

Lorella Praeli, American Civil Liberties Union director of immigration policy and campaigns, said:

“Clearly, the Trump administration is using these asylum-seekers to fabricate a crisis to justify the further militarization of our U.S.-Mexico border, separation of families, and an unpopular anti-immigrant agenda.

“It’s a disgrace that Central American families and children are being vilified while seeking refuge from violence and other dangerous situations at home. Customs and Border Protection must stop hiding behind unelaborated capacity constraints and move immediately to process these asylum-seekers according to the law.”