BREAKING: Administration Begins Processing Caravan Asylum Requests at Border

San Ysidro, California—More than a day after members of the refugee caravan patiently gathered at the San Ysidro port of entry, the Trump Administration has finally begun to process requests for protection. In response, Human Rights First’s Laura Gault, an attorney monitoring the government’s actions on the ground, issued the following statement:

“After more than 26 hours, Customs and Border Patrol has finally begun to process eight individuals seeking asylum at the southern border.  While this is a positive development, we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that all who came to legally seek protection are processed in accordance with U.S. law.

“Despite the administration’s efforts to dehumanize women and children patiently waiting at the border, as is evidenced by the latest statements from Vice President Pence, the members of the caravan are simply trying to exercise their legal right to apply for protection. They are not ‘victims of open border advocates,’ they are victims of the Trump Administration’s yearlong attack on the asylum system.

“Many of these families faced unspeakable violence and persecution in their home countries, separation from their families, and an arduous journey over thousands of miles. We hope that this development signals the end of the administration’s attempts to demonize the innocent.”