Asylumist

09/30/2026

Planning for Detention and Deportation

As the situation for immigrants continues to deteriorate, it is important to be prepared in the event that you are detained or deported. What do you do about your children and other vulnerable family members? What about pets? Property? Vehicles? Bank accounts? https://asylumist.com/2026/09/30/planning-for-detention-and-deportation/

09/23/2026

Pro Bono: Doing Good for Others – and for Yourself

There are lots of altruistic reasons to engage in pro bono work, including that it can be life saving for the client. However, today, I want to discuss the tangible benefits to the lawyer of taking on a pro bono case. https://asylumist.com/2026/09/23/pro-bono-doing-good-for-others-and-for-yourself/

09/16/2026

The Courage to Save Our Souls

I was struck by a recent article in Christianity Today, The Trump-Era Laughter at Immigrant Suffering Is Deforming Our Souls, by Russell Moore. “What we learn to laugh at,” Mr. Moore writes, “trains our consciences to enjoy and not to recoil from what once would have shocked us.”

I was struck by a recent article in Christianity Today, The Trump-Era Laughter at Immigrant Suffering Is Deforming Our Souls, by Russell Moore. The article discusses the “funny” memes, songs, and jokes posted by the White House and DHS, mocking Haitians, Venezuelans, and others as they are detai...

09/02/2026

The Unjust Justification for Revoking Asylum Seekers’ Visas

The State Department is poised to start revoking asylum seekers’ visas. While the effect on most applicants will be minimal, the harm to our government’s moral standing and commitment to the rule of law will be profound.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans to revoke up to 200,000 visitor visas for people who came to the United States and then applied for asylum. The move is largely symbolic, since the whole point of a visa is to allow someone to enter the country. Once they are here, the visa is no ... Read mor...

08/26/2026

More Sneaky Ways to Deny Asylum, Courtesy of the Asylum Office

has issued new rules for cases at the office. These relate to when evidence is due, rescheduling interviews, and attorney attendance at interviews.

When asylum seekers are permitted to present their applications for protection in the United States, their cases are often granted. That’s because the asylum law–as created by Congress–is fairly generous. Our favorable humanitarian law conflicts with the Trump Administration’s goal of blocki...

08/19/2026

The Time to Pay the Asylum Fee Is Now

For many seekers, the window to pay the annual asylum fee closed before they could pay. But recently, the window has reopened and the time to pay is now. https://asylumist.com/2026/08/19/the-time-to-pay-the-asylum-fee-is-now/

08/12/2026

No Fly Zone

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard reports about ICE detaining seekers and other non-citizens at airports during domestic travel. Which travelers face a risk of detention? And is there anything you can do to protect yourself? https://asylumist.com/2026/08/12/no-fly-zone/

07/29/2026

New Rule Aims to Send Affirmative Asylum Seekers to Court Without an Interview

Earlier this week, a new rule went into effect, which permits the Asylum Office to send certain affirmative applicants to Immigration Court without an interview. Here, we’ll take a look at what the rule says, how it might impact affirmative asylum seekers, and what you can do about it. https://asylumist.com/2026/07/29/new-rule-aims-to-send-affirmative-asylum-seekers-to-court-without-an-interview/

07/22/2026

On Top of Everything Else, Immigrants Are Being Targeted by Scammers

During the past year, lawyers and non-profits have reported a sharp increase in scams targeting non-citizens. https://asylumist.com/2026/07/22/on-top-of-everything-else-immigrants-are-being-targeted-by-scammers/

07/15/2026

The Escalating Threat of Third Country Deportations

The Trump Administration has dramatically increased the practice of non-citizens to third countries. As of May 2026, more than 21,000 people have been removed to at least 24 different countries. https://asylumist.com/2026/07/15/the-escalating-threat-of-third-country-deportations/