Asylum approvals are down

On Behalf of | Jan 10, 2020 | immigration law

Due to changes to immigration policy and attitude in the last few years, the number of people coming into the United States has declined considerably. Experts believe that the trend may hold, at least through 2020. The reduction could even become more notable than it is now, at the beginning of the new year.

This does mean that illegal immigration is down, which is the focus of many of these policies — both those that have gone into action and those, like the proposed border wall, that have stalled in the courts. But it’s not just illegal immigration. Legal entry numbers have also dropped.

For instance, fewer asylum cases are getting approved recently. Those seeking asylum are typically fleeing from danger and trying to find safety in a new country. However, the system has been overwhelmed as of late, and new policies have made it so that many asylum seekers have to stay in Mexico until they get considered for asylum.

Those who do stay have found that it is not a quick process. As much as the cases may sound urgent, the reality is that some people spend months on the other side of the border, waiting to see if they will get approved. Others have even spent years waiting. As the approval numbers drop, that just means more and more people find themselves waiting endlessly.

These are just two types of immigration, though current legal changes have impacted many more. Those who decide they want to enter the United States need to understand these changes and the process they need to follow.