Groups in Federal Court to Challenge Trump鈥檚 Forced Return to Mexico Policy
SAN FRANCISCO 鈥� The 老澳门开奖结果, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Center for Gender & Refugee Studies were in federal court today seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the Trump administration鈥檚 new policy forcing asylum seekers to return to Mexico and remain there while their cases are considered. The arguments were held before U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg.
Judy Rabinovitz, deputy director of the 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 Immigrants鈥� Rights Project, who argued the case, said, 鈥淭ry as it may, the Trump administration cannot circumvent the law to stop people who are escaping danger and persecution from seeking asylum in the United States.鈥�
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 11 individual asylum seekers and organizational plaintiffs Innovation Law Lab, the Central American Resource Center of Northern California, Centro Legal de la Raza, the University of San Francisco School of Law Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic, Al Otro Lado, and the Tahirih Justice Center.
鈥淲hile the Trump administration continues to double down on this policy by expanding its implementation, the irreparable harm it causes is clear. Every moment it is in place, it jeopardizes the lives and well-being of vulnerable asylum seekers and makes it virtually impossible for them to present their cases in court. It is inhumane and unlawful,鈥� said Melissa Crow, Southern Poverty Law Center senior supervising attorney.
The lawsuit cites violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, as well as the United States鈥� duty under international human rights law not to return people to dangerous conditions.
鈥淭his ill-conceived policy is the Trump administration鈥檚 latest attempt to slam the door on people fleeing horrific violence and persecution. Forcibly returning asylum seekers to danger in Mexico is as illegal as it is cruel. This policy endangers lives and makes a mockery of the asylum process, as underscored by its disastrous rollout over these past few weeks,鈥� said Blaine Bookey, co-legal director of the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies.
More information is at: /cases/innovation-law-lab-v-nielsen
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