Asylum – Legal News Feed

Law360

DHS Directive Spurs Debate: Immigration Lawyers Cautious as ICE Targets Fraudulent Asylum Claims

Pieter Gunst3 days ago04 mins

Immigration attorneys are expressing concern following the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent directive instructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to intensify enforcement against fraudulent asylum claims. The directive, issued on May 26, 2026, empowers ICE attorneys to pursue legal action against immigration lawyers suspected of filing false asylum applications. DHS General Counsel James Percival…

Jurist

International Court Rules in Favor of UK in Rwanda Asylum Dispute, Dismissing Compensation Claims

Pieter Gunst4 days ago03 mins

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has issued a unanimous decision in favor of the United Kingdom, dismissing Rwanda’s claims for financial compensation related to the now-terminated Asylum Partnership Agreement. This accord, which came into effect in April 2024, was designed to facilitate the relocation of asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda,…

SCOTUSblog

Major Supreme Court Rulings Pending in Final Term of 2025-26: Immigration, Election Law, and More

Pieter Gunst5 days ago04 mins

Legal News: Key Supreme Court Cases Pending Decisions As the United States Supreme Court moves into the final month of its 2025-26 term, it is poised to deliver decisions on 26 cases that continue to evoke significant legal debate. This period often culminates in conclusions on high-profile cases, potentially reshaping legal standards across the country….

Jurist

HRW Report Criticizes U.S. Deportations to Mexico as Violating Due Process and International Law

Pieter Gunst1 week ago03 mins

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report accusing the Trump administration of deporting nearly 13,000 third-country nationals to Mexico without providing necessary due process or basic services. The deportations occurred between January 2025 and March 2026, significantly impacting individuals who had long-established lives in the United States, including many Cuban nationals who fled political…

Jurist

UN Rights Chief Criticizes International Deportation of Afghan Refugees as Violation of Humanitarian Law

Pieter Gunst2 weeks ago03 mins

In a strong rebuke to recent deportation practices, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned the forced repatriation of Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers. He articulated that such actions are a flagrant violation of international human rights law. Türk emphasized the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to a country where they…

SCOTUSblog

U.S. Supreme Court’s Expanding Role in Federal Policy Underlined by Immigration Cases

Pieter Gunst2 weeks ago04 mins

The role of the United States Supreme Court extends beyond being the arbiter of federal legal disputes. Traditionally perceived as the entity that resolves disagreements among lower courts, the Court also shapes significant federal law policy decisions. This dual role has once again come into focus as the Court embarks on deliberating high-profile immigration cases…

Jurist

South Africa’s Constitutional Court Upholds Ban on Repeat Asylum Applications in Landmark Ruling

Pieter Gunst3 weeks ago03 mins

The Constitutional Court of South Africa has made a significant ruling regarding asylum procedures, effectively prohibiting foreigners from submitting repeated asylum applications once their initial request has been denied. This decision came as a result of the case Director of Home Affairs and Others v Irankunda and Niyonkuru, involving two citizens from Burundi. The pair,…

Jurist

Trump Administration’s Deportation Deals: Over 17,400 Transferred Amid Legal Battles

Pieter Gunst1 month ago03 mins

The Trump administration executed a series of deportation deals known as third-country transfer agreements, facilitating the transfer of over 17,400 individuals to more than 30 countries. These transfers often occurred in defiance of federal court orders and despite successful habeas corpus petitions by the affected individuals, as highlighted by information from Human Rights First and…

Jurist

UN Criticism Prompts Reevaluation of Sweden’s Deportation Policies for Disabled Asylum Seekers

Pieter Gunst1 month ago04 mins

The recent decision by the UN Human Rights Committee has brought Sweden’s deportation practices under scrutiny, especially concerning the 2016 and 2019 deportations of a severely disabled child, referred to as E.B. This case involved E.B., an Albanian national diagnosed with autism, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, epilepsy, and other life-threatening conditions. These complex medical…

Law360

BIA Decision Stresses Importance of Detailed Credibility Assessment in Immigration Cases

Pieter Gunst1 month ago02 mins

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recently highlighted procedural lapses in a case where an immigration judge ruled in favor of a Cameroonian man without sufficiently addressing inconsistencies in his claims. This precedential decision underscores the importance of rigorous examination in immigration hearings. According to the decision, the judge granted withholding of removal protection based…

Bloomberg Law

Federal Judge’s Ruling Highlights Balance Between Government Oversight and Attorney Protections in Immigration Cases

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

The recent decision by a federal judge to deny the U.S. Department of Justice’s attempt to sanction an immigration lawyer marks a significant moment in immigration law proceedings. The Justice Department alleged that the lawyer had knowingly submitted erroneous information in an asylum application, an accusation the lawyer refuted vigorously. This case, which has drawn…

Bloomberg Law

“Overwhelmed and Understaffed: U.S. Immigration Courts Struggle with 1.8 Million Case Backlog”

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

The United States immigration court system faces significant challenges, with a growing backlog that is overwhelming its resources and affecting the lives of countless detainees. As detailed in a recent analysis, the number of pending cases has exceeded 1.8 million, a number that reflects a court system struggling to cope with increased demand. One of…

Jurist

Detention of Brazil’s Ex-Intelligence Chief by US Raises Questions Over Bilateral Ties and Political Asylum

Pieter Gunst2 months ago04 mins

The recent detention of Brazil’s former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has added a complex layer to the bilateral relationship between Brazil and the United States. ICE’s detainee database confirmed the detainment, although additional details have not been disclosed publicly. Brazilian authorities noted the arrest occurred through coordinated efforts…

Jurist

New Hungarian Government Urged to Restore Rule of Law Following Orbán’s Defeat

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Hungary’s newly elected government to take decisive measures to restore the rule of law, following the electoral victory of opposition leader Péter Magyar. With this victory ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, HRW emphasizes the need to reverse policies that have curtailed democratic freedoms and suppressed dissent over the…

Jurist

Georgian Deportation of Azerbaijani Journalist Raises Human Rights Concerns Amid Regional Tensions

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

Human Rights Watch recently criticized Georgian authorities for their expulsion of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov back to Azerbaijan, where he faces significant risks of prosecution and mistreatment. Sadigov, the founder of the Azerbaijani news outlet Azel.tv, had reportedly resided in Georgia since 2023. In early August 2024, he was detained by Georgian authorities and subsequently…

European Law Blog

EU Safe Countries of Origin List: Balancing Expediency and Human Rights in Asylum Policy

Pieter Gunst2 months ago04 mins

The European Union’s Safe Countries of Origin list serves as a crucial tool in the bloc’s asylum policy. It designates certain nations as ‘safe,’ theoretically allowing the EU to expedite asylum claims from those countries by presuming applicants are not at risk of persecution. While this framework may look solid on paper, it presents considerable…

Jurist

Brazil Receives UN Accolade for Humanitarian Migration Policies, Urged to Enhance Implementation

Pieter Gunst2 months ago04 mins

The United Nations has recognized Brazil for its commendable legal framework regarding the treatment of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Highlighting the country’s migration policies, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Gehad Madi, praised Brazil for offering robust protections that guarantee fundamental human rights irrespective of nationality. The announcement followed Madi’s…

Jurist

Supreme Court Debates Legality of Defunct U.S. Asylum Metering Policy at Border

Pieter Gunst2 months ago05 mins

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court engaged in spirited debate as it examined the legal nuances of a now-defunct Trump administration policy affecting asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border. The case, Noem v. Al Otro Lado, scrutinizes the interpretation of statutory language in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically the phrase “arrives in” the…

Jurist

European Parliament’s Expanded Deportation Powers Criticized by Amnesty International for Potential Human Rights Infringements

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

Amnesty International has voiced strong criticism following the European Parliament’s recent approval of measures that expand detention and deportation powers across the European Union. The rights group described these changes as a step that could undermine fundamental human rights, particularly highlighting concerns over the potential for prolonged and arbitrary detention and the accelerated deportation process….

Jurist

Canada’s New Immigration Legislation Sparks Controversy Over Refugee Rights

Pieter Gunst2 months ago04 mins

Canada’s recent legislative development, Bill C-12, known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, has become law following royal assent. This comes amid fierce criticism from 28 domestic and international refugee and migrant rights groups, who labeled the bill a direct attack on refugee and migrant rights. Among the organizations voicing their dissent…

Jurist

Australia Imposes Temporary Six-Month Travel Ban on Iranian Visitors Amid Middle East Tensions

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

In a significant policy shift, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has imposed a six-month travel ban on visitors from Iran. Taking effect on Thursday, the decision specifically affects individuals traveling with an Iranian passport under the subclass 600 visa, designed for temporary visitation to Australia. This move comes in response to the complexities that…

SCOTUSblog

Supreme Court Weighs ‘Metering’ Policy Impact on Asylum Seekers Amidst Complex Legal Debate

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

The Supreme Court’s deliberations on the policy concerning asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border could equivalently reinforce the Trump administration’s stance. In recent oral arguments for Noem v. Al Otro Lado, the justices reviewed a challenge to a policy that systematically turned away asylum seekers at the border. This protocol was initiated nearly a decade…

Law.com

Supreme Court Weighs Balance of Asylum Seekers’ Rights and Border Security in Landmark Case

Pieter Gunst2 months ago03 mins

The U.S. Supreme Court recently engaged in deliberations over the contentious issue of whether the government can summarily turn away asylum seekers apprehended at the border without any formal processing, particularly during periods of heightened migration. This debate challenges existing protocols and raises questions about the rights of individuals attempting to enter the United States…

Bloomberg Law

Legal Professionals Mobilize Nationwide to Address Detainees’ Crisis of Representation

Pieter Gunst2 months ago04 mins

In recent months, a surge in efforts among legal professionals to assist in freeing detainees has seen a coordinated push characterized by an “all hands on deck” approach, highlighting a collective determination among lawyers to effect meaningful change. This initiative comes as legal experts navigate complex challenges brought on by systemic issues within detention systems,…

Jurist

Norwegian Authorities Face Dilemma Over Extradition of Activist Amid Human Rights Concerns

Pieter Gunst3 months ago04 mins

Human Rights Watch has raised significant concerns over the arrest of human rights defender Tommy Olsen in Norway, urging authorities to prevent his extradition to Greece. Olsen was detained in Tromsø on March 16, 2026, following a European Arrest Warrant issued by Greek authorities. He faces charges in Greece related to his work aiding migrants,…