Story perspectives

DHS Drafts Rule to Skip Interviews for 1.5 M Asylum Seekers

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

DHS documents show the Trump administration is drafting a rule to bypass interviews for asylum seekers who filed after one year.
The rule would let USCIS reject those applications, send applicants to deportation proceedings, and require interviews for exceptions such as medical conditions, lack of counsel, or minor status.
Lawyer Conchita Cruz warned the proposal could move applicants into court without explaining filings, and USCIS reported 1.5 million pending asylum applications.

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Story summary

DHS documents show the Trump administration is drafting a rule to bypass interviews for asylum seekers who filed after one year.
The rule would let USCIS reject those applications, send applicants to deportation proceedings, and require interviews for exceptions such as medical conditions, lack of counsel, or minor status.
Lawyer Conchita Cruz warned the proposal could move applicants into court without explaining filings, and USCIS reported 1.5 million pending asylum applications.