Immigrant rights advocates are taking legal action against the Trump administration over a controversial proclamation aimed at closing the door to asylum for thousands of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Immigrant Justice Center, and several other groups filed a federal lawsuit today, challenging the administration’s assertion that an “invasion” justifies denying asylum protections granted by Congress.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., argues that the proclamation, issued under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, unlawfully circumvents asylum laws and leaves migrants vulnerable to persecution, torture, and death. Advocates say the move goes beyond previous actions, creating a blanket ban on asylum and cutting off any recourse for families and individuals seeking protection in the U.S.
According to Iowa Dispatch, in the Jan. 20 proclamation, Trump characterized asylum seekers seeking entry to the U.S.-Mexico border as an “invasion” and said that the states need “protection,” so the White House will suspend physical entry until the president deems the “invasion” over. Encounters at the southern border have been the lowest in several years.
“This is an unprecedented power grab that will put countless lives in danger,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. Other legal experts echo concerns that the president’s actions flout established protections for refugees and violate U.S. treaty obligations.
Trump’s proclamation falsely characterizes asylum seekers as part of a so-called “invasion,” according to opponents. Critics argue that this narrative, pushed by the administration, fuels fear and undermines the legal pathways available for those fleeing violence and oppression. In a statement, Rochelle Garza from the Texas Civil Rights Project called the move “extreme” and “a disservice to families seeking safety.”
While President Trump continues to claim that his actions are necessary for national security, immigrant rights groups say this blanket asylum ban undermines American values of compassion and fairness. The groups are determined to challenge what they describe as an unlawful policy and ensure that asylum seekers retain their right to safety and protection.
“This is the latest flagrantly illegal attempt by the executive branch to end humanitarian protection at the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Richard Caldarone, senior litigation attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center. “The immigration laws do not give the president autocratic power to override Congress and brazenly violate U.S. treaty obligations related to the protection of refugees. This latest attempt to do so will make thousands of people vulnerable to persecution, torture, and death, and we will not stop fighting until all those who require protection have the opportunity guaranteed by U.S. law to seek asylum in this country.”
The lawsuit aims to hold the Trump administration accountable for what advocates call a blatant abuse of power, seeking to preserve the right to asylum as guaranteed by U.S. law. The case will now be heard in federal court.
“The United States has long served as a refuge for people fleeing persecution abroad, as we declare proudly on the Statue of Liberty,” said Scott Michelman, legal director at the ACLU of the District of Columbia. “Trump’s attempted border shutdown is an affront to our history and our values, and it will impose incalculable suffering on refugees fleeing for their lives.”
