SPLC sues Trump administration over president’s asylum ban

As of Nov. 19, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration's asylum ban. Stay tuned for updates from the SPLC.

The SPLC filed a federal lawsuit today against the Trump administration’s asylum ban, challenging an interim final rule that was issued yesterday and a presidential proclamation that President Trump signed this morning. 

The ban makes migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border between ports of entry ineligible for asylum. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) already has a widespread practice and policy of turning back individuals who attempt to seek asylum at ports of entry, and the SPLC has filed a previous lawsuit challenging that unlawful conduct.

Today’s lawsuit charges the administration with violating the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution’s due process protections.

“The asylum ban is unlawful and morally unconscionable,” said Melissa Crow, SPLC senior supervising attorney. “This policy, coupled with CBP’s widespread practice and policy of turning back individuals attempting to seek asylum at ports of entry, would effectively deny protection to thousands of vulnerable individuals. The government’s blatant disregard for the rights of asylum seekers cannot stand.”

The lawsuit, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump, was filed in federal court in San Francisco. It was brought on behalf of East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Al Otro Lado, Innovation Law Lab, and the Central American Resource Center in Los Angeles.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights joined the SPLC in filing the lawsuit.