Trump eyes asylum limits for migrant caravans

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was expected to announce on Thursday his plans to deny asylum to migrants who try to enter the U.S. between ports of entry — a legally questionable move that was part of his election-season barrage of actions aimed at caravans heading toward the border.

It was unclear whether the restrictions Trump was expected to propose would apply only to those travelling in the caravans or extend to all people trying to enter the country.

And it also was questionable whether Trump has the legal authority.

The asylum clause of the Immigration and Nationality Act says that anyone who arrives to the U.S. may apply for asylum.

And any change would almost certainly be immediately challenged in court.

Migrants who cross illegally are generally arrested and often seek asylum or some other form of protection.

Claims have spiked in recent years, and there is currently a backlog of more than 800,000 cases pending in immigration court.

Administration officials have railed against what they say are loopholes designed to encourage people, especially from Central America, to come to the U.S. and claim asylum.

Generally, only about 20 percent of applicants are approved.

The U.S. fielded more than 330,000 asylum claims in 2017, nearly double the number two years earlier and surpassing Germany as highest in the world.

A U.N. Refugee Agency report doesn’t break out exactly where and how they claimed asylum.

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