White House: Asylum case court ruling is "judicial activism"

Days after postponing the sentencing of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan of the DC District Court, challenged the Trump Administration’s immigration policy by ordering its recent asylum eligibility policy to be halted.

In an asylum case filed on behalf of 12 illegal immigrants seeking asylum, who were previously lost their cases for asylum, Sullivan ordered that those twelve to be deported, and those who have already been deported, be brought back.

The White House too issue with the ruling, prompting the Press Secretary’s office to respond, saying that the ruling would only “further overwhelm” immigration courts “with meritless cases” that would stifle the existing “massive backlog” of cases even worse.

"Today, a court has, once again, overridden and undermined United States immigration law.  Under the law, asylum is a discretionary benefit for aliens who have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Today’s ruling will further overwhelm our immigration courts with meritless cases, making the existing massive backlog even worse.

 It will also encourage more illegal immigration to the United States, to the benefit of ruthless smuggling organizations that too often victimize young women and children.  Today’s ruling is only the latest example of judicial activism that encourages migrants to take dangerous risks; empowers criminal organizations that spread turmoil in our hemisphere; and undermines the laws, borders, Constitution, and sovereignty of the United States.  We will continue to fight for the rule of law and against these reckless rulings.”-White House Press Secretary