In the last quarter, nearly 80% of immigrants applying for asylum in the U.S. were turned away as immigration judges adopted a more rigorous approach, a shift driven by the Trump administration’s focus on border control.
During the same timeframe, there has been a notable rise in deportations. Data from Syracuse University’s Transaction Records Access Clearinghouse reveals that in December, 38,215 undocumented immigrants were apprehended. This figure is a 50% increase from the 19,265 recorded in December 2023 under President Biden and a 35% increase compared to 24,979 in December 2024.
Since Trump took office, average monthly deportations have exceeded 30,000, with enforcement continuing relentlessly.
Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Immigration Policy Center and a former immigration judge, commented, “It’s really having an impact.” He added that the Trump administration aims to reduce the rate at which refugees are recognized.
Michael Cutler, a veteran immigration agent, supported the return of stricter border policies and remarked, “Asylum has a very specific definition… You need to show a credible fear of persecution,” referring to the criteria necessary for asylum claims.
Cutler went further, saying that issues like neighborhood gangs or difficult family relationships don’t qualify as grounds for asylum.
This stringent approach marks a stark contrast to the more lenient stance of the Biden administration. For instance, in May 2022, an impressive 50% of asylum requests were approved, coinciding with record crossings of 2.76 million people at the southern border that same year.
Biden had previously stated, “We can afford 4 million more people,” expressing confidence in the country’s capacity to assist those fleeing oppression.
Trump’s campaign often highlighted tragic incidents involving crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, such as the case of Laken Riley, who was killed by one while jogging in 2024.
Similarly, last year, Victor Martinez Hernandez was sentenced to life for the violent murder of Rachel Morin, underscoring public concern about safety. Rachel’s mother criticized the current policies, emphasizing the importance of vetting individuals entering the country.
Patricia Morin noted, “There are people here who are not vetted, and we don’t know if they are who they claim to be,” highlighting a growing atmosphere of fear regarding immigration.
Maureen Maloney expressed her frustration over the border policy, stemming from the tragic loss of her son to an illegal alien in 2011. She voiced her belief that Biden’s approach had severe repercussions, suggesting a long-term price for Americans.
There’s been a significant decline in asylum approvals, showcasing a shift in public opinion against illegal immigration. Asylum grant rates have decreased. Customs and Border Protection reports over 2.4 million migrants at the Southwest border, with 3.2 million encounters across the nation.
Polls from August 2023 found that 70% of Americans disapproved of Biden’s border strategy. In light of this discontent, asylum grants fell by 40% by 2024.
Recent data indicates that apprehensions at the border averaged just 245 daily, a striking 95% decrease from 5,110 under the previous administration.
Asylum rulings occur in courts overseen by Justice Department officials. The Trump administration is reportedly introducing more judges with military experience and has added a number of new immigration judges recently.
Moreover, the Pentagon is assigning military-trained legal staff to immigration courts to help alleviate case backlogs. There’s been a shake-up in immigration enforcement as well, with over 100 officials dismissed last year, raising concerns from organizations like the New York Bar Association.
Nevertheless, the Justice Department asserts that it is working to restore integrity to the immigration system. The pace of immigration court processes has historically been slow, often taking more than a decade to resolve existing cases.
Under Trump, there has been a push for efficiency; reports indicate a leap to 12,000 resolved cases per month in early 2023, compared to the 6,000 to 7,000 seen under Biden.
Despite that, a staggering backlog of 3.38 million asylum applications indicates a processing timeline extending 14 years if the current pace continues. Much of this burden is concentrated in New York, particularly in Queens County, which has a backlog of over 105,000 cases.
Analyzing the origins of migration, authorities point to poverty, drug-related violence, and other regional issues driving attempts to enter the U.S. Most unsuccessful asylum seekers are returned to Mexico, while others are sent back to Honduras, Guatemala, or Venezuela.
