Asylum

<p>Stories about the complex process of seeking asylum — and how that process is changing. Want to see for yourself? <a href="https://interactive.pri.org/2018/02/walls-we-dont-see/journey1.html?reload">Make your way through the US asylum process with this interactive tool.</a></p>

The Supreme Court building

SCOTUS rules some rejected asylum-seekers can't challenge decisions

The ruling says immigrants denied asylum under streamlined proceedings, cannot contest that decision in court.

SCOTUS rules some rejected asylum-seekers can't challenge decisions
Man sits behind large stack of papers, brown envelopes

When the government wrongly deports people, coming back to the US is almost impossible

When the government wrongly deports people, coming back to the US is almost impossible
Letter from US government in focus, being held up by a man who is out of focus behind it

The government says Border Patrol agents in the Southwest speak Spanish — but many migrants speak Indigenous languages

The government says Border Patrol agents in the Southwest speak Spanish — but many migrants speak Indigenous languages
Newly arriving Jewish refugee from the Nazi Holocaust wave from the ship "S.S. Awarea" as it pulls into Haifa port on April 6, 1948.

Deporting asylum-seekers without giving them a chance to make their case would violate US and international laws

Deporting asylum-seekers without giving them a chance to make their case would violate US and international laws
Girl in room with Mother's Day balloon in front of her face

This mother, already deported, doesn’t know if she’ll ever be reunited with the daughter taken from her at the US border

This mother, already deported, doesn’t know if she’ll ever be reunited with the daughter taken from her at the US border
A mother is seen holding her child.

Trump’s new order on families at the border raises even more questions about what happens next for child migrants

We’re answering some of your most pressing questions about what happens next.

Trump’s new order on families at the border raises even more questions about what happens next for child migrants
Migrants reaching border

Will the US deny asylum to domestic violence survivors?

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to try and limit who qualifies for asylum in the US.

Will the US deny asylum to domestic violence survivors?
A child traveling with a caravan of migrants from Central America sleeps

At the US-Mexico border, migrants face an uncertain wait

Some lawyers question why US border officials are unable to process the asylum-seeking migrants from Central America, as the "caravan" has made international headlines during its travels north through Mexico.

At the US-Mexico border, migrants face an uncertain wait
School project of child's hand prints with poem, "When I'm grown and far away, these little hands with you will stay"

As Trump ends Obama-era protections for Salvadorans, a family in Minnesota has few good options to stay together

Since 2014, some Central American youth were given temporary permission to join their parents in the US. The government acknowledged the danger they were in. But now, the Trump administration has canceled the programs that brought them. Meet one family, who waited 15 years to reunite, but whose time is almost up.

As Trump ends Obama-era protections for Salvadorans, a family in Minnesota has few good options to stay together
Man in crowd hugging child, photo from above

Why a recent Supreme Court decision on bonds is a ‘red flag’ for immigrants in detention

A battle is on over the constitutionality of indefinite immigrant detention.

Why a recent Supreme Court decision on bonds is a ‘red flag’ for immigrants in detention
Blurry image of woman in pink hodded sweatshirt standing in front of window, with reflection of trees

With smuggling costs skyrocketing, parents balance risk and debt for their children's future

The cost of smuggling has gone up in the last year — sharply. But, for the safety of their children, parents get references, take out loans and make the best smuggling decision they can.

With smuggling costs skyrocketing, parents balance risk and debt for their children's future
Woman putting bills in public bus machine, with windshield behind her

She escaped violence in El Salvador, but there’s little time or resources to heal while seeking asylum in the US

The Trump administration wants immigrants to stop using public benefits, but many immigrants are already severely restricted from receiving assistance with food, health and child care. Even when they are at their most vulnerable.

She escaped violence in El Salvador, but there’s little time or resources to heal while seeking asylum in the US
A woman holding a baby waits in line, above an open helping hand is extended.

Make your way through the maze of seeking asylum in the US

What would you do if you were a victim of domestic violence seeking safety in the US? Follow the asylum process for a young woman and her daughter in this interactive.

Make your way through the maze of seeking asylum in the US
Family of six sitting closely together on a sofa

The courts called him a terrorist, but one judge and several politicians want him to be able to stay in the US

Depending on whom you ask, Malachy McAllister is either an Irish terrorist or a persecuted asylum seeker. Either way, he’s been facing deportation for 10 years.

The courts called him a terrorist, but one judge and several politicians want him to be able to stay in the US
family sitting on steps in front of building

Why 80 asylum-seekers are marching to the US southern border, even though they'll probably be turned away

Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, Salvadoran and Honduran migrants are participating in the Caravan of Refugees to advocate for the right to request asylum.

Why 80 asylum-seekers are marching to the US southern border, even though they'll probably be turned away