Is the Trump Administration Taking Asylum Away?

 Posted on June 26, 2025 in Asylum

Asylum in the United States has long been a legal pathway for people desperate to get away from violence, political oppression, and persecution. But many immigrants, especially from South Asian and Muslim-majority countries, have watched recent shifts in federal asylum policy with fear and confusion. 

If you or your loved one is seeking asylum in the United States, particularly from regions like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or India, it is essential to understand what has changed, what remains the same, and how a culturally attuned attorney can protect your rights. At Hafey & Karim, our Bay Area immigration attorneys offer legal services in English and Bengali and work with professional interpreters fluent in Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu to ensure clear communication for every client.

How Have Trump’s Two Administrations Affected Asylum?

In January 2025, people seeking asylum who came through the southern border of the U.S. suddenly found themselves unable to apply when the Trump Administration suspended asylum. The suspension involved shutting down an app designed for asylum seekers who were waiting in Mexico and made it virtually impossible to get appointments. 

The difficulty for asylum seekers was further compounded by a travel ban the Trump Administration put into place in June 2025 blocking people from twelve countries from entering the U.S., including family members of refugees. Observers say the countries targeted by the travel ban, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somalia, and Yemen, are being targeted out of Islamophobia and racism. Fear that there is an effort to keep Muslims out of the U.S. is making people from countries that have not been targeted by the travel ban wary of their chances of receiving asylum. 

During his first presidency, Trump issued a series of administrative rules and directives aimed at making it harder for people to obtain asylum. These included:

• Narrowing the definition of what counts as "persecution" or a "particular social group"

• Fast-tracking deportations without full hearings

• Pushing asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their claims were processed

• Imposing near-total bans on asylum for people who passed through another country before reaching the U.S. border

Although many of these policies were challenged and reversed, the legal framework around asylum remains unstable and complex. Officers at USCIS and immigration judges still apply heightened scrutiny to claims, especially from Muslim applicants or those perceived as security risks.

What Does This Mean for South Asian and Muslim Asylum Seekers?

Many of our clients come from countries where religion, gender, or political opinion can result in real danger. If you or your family has suffered threats, imprisonment, domestic violence, or religious persecution, you may have a valid claim, but only if your case is presented clearly, completely, and with cultural context.

We understand the specific challenges that South Asian and Muslim immigrants face. Whether your asylum case involves past persecution, fear of honor-based violence, targeted political retaliation, or LGBTQ+ identity, our legal team will treat your story with dignity and build a case that reflects your reality.

What Can You Do If You Are Seeking Asylum Right Now?

If you are planning to apply for asylum, or if your case has already been delayed, denied, or complicated by past administrative rules, do not wait. Asylum cases are highly time-sensitive. You generally must file within one year of entering the United States, and every document, witness statement, and hearing date matters.

We have helped clients reopen asylum claims, correct errors from past legal representation, and seek protection for themselves and their children. You do not need to face this process alone.

Contact a Bay Area Asylum and Immigration Attorney

The asylum process is complicated, especially in the wake of the Trump-era changes that continue to shape immigration policy today. If you are a South Asian or Muslim immigrant seeking safety in the United States, we are here to help. We serve clients throughout the Bay Area and offer consultations in English and Bengali. Translators are available for Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Call 214-506-0671 today to schedule your consultation with a compassionate San Francisco, CA immigration lawyer at Hafey & Karim.