Trump admin. pushes to send S.F. asylum-seekers to Honduras even if theyre not from there

Federal attorneys on Tuesday requested that several asylum-seekers in San Francisco immigration court be sent to Honduras, despite their lack of connections to the country. Judges, including Jeremiah Johnson, denied the motions, insisting that the cases needed to be presented in writing for proper evaluation. This strategy by the Department of Homeland Security aims to complicate asylum procedures and follows a March agreement between the U. S. and Honduras, which allows the latter to accept certain asylum-seekers.

Many asylum-seekers appeared confused about the potential relocation to Honduras, prompting questions during the hearings. The Board of Immigration Appeals recently established guidelines for immigration judges to assess such motions, emphasizing the need to evaluate the risk of persecution in Honduras. Johnson's firm stance against oral motions highlighted the complexities involved and the necessity for legal representation. Legal experts fear that these tactics could lead to a significant reduction in the number of asylum cases processed in the U. S.

The situation underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy under the Trump administration.