DHS removes interview requirement for asylum seekers, possibly speeding removals

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) removed the interview requirement for asylum seekers, allowing asylum officers to directly refer cases to immigration judges without first assessing credibility. This policy, effective immediately, could expedite deportation proceedings for over 444,000 pending asylum applicants and impact future cases, including Haitians facing loss of Temporary Protected Status. While the Department of Homeland Security claims the rule will reduce immigration court backlogs, experts suggest it may weaken asylum claims and slow the system.