RAICES v. Mullin

(DDC 1:25-cv-00306)

Raices v. Mullin challenges the Trump administration’s January 2025 proclamation aimed at completely shutting down asylum at the U.S. border, a move that puts thousands of lives at risk.

The proclamation, issued in the first weeks of Trump’s second presidency called the arrival of asylum seekers to the country an “invasion” that went against the interests of the United States. It used this so-called invasion as justification to deny asylum protections expressly granted by Congress and backed by the courts for generations, and put families and individuals at grave risk of persecution with no recourse.

This proclamation also differs from Trump’s previous attempts to shut off asylum in his first administration because the recent move leaves no avenue open for people to seek asylum, even if they present themselves at a port of entry.

NIJC joined the American Civil Liberties Union, Texas Civil Rights Project, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), ACLU of the District of Columbia, and ACLU of Texas filed the federal lawsuit.

The Plaintiffs

Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), and the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project are nonprofit organizations that provide legal services to people seeking asylum but would be unable to do so under this proclamation.