Trump Administration Cracks Down on Fake Asylum Claims

Nearly 80% of migrants seeking asylum were sent packing in the last quarter under tougher standards.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Trump administration has taken steps to address the surge of fraudulent asylum claims that had been accepted at high rates under the previous Biden administration. By replacing many immigration judges appointed by Biden with military judicial personnel, the asylum grant rate has dropped significantly, with nearly 80% of migrants seeking asylum being denied in the last quarter.

Why it matters

The high acceptance rate of dubious asylum claims under the Biden administration had incentivized many illegal migrants to try their luck on this track, crowding out legitimate asylum seekers fleeing true persecution. The Trump administration's efforts to restore common-sense border policy and uphold the law's narrow definition of asylum are expected to disincentivize illegal immigration.

The details

The Trump administration has made it a priority to restore the border and crack down on the surge of fake asylum claims. By replacing around 100 Biden-appointed immigration judges who had been approving nearly every case, with military judicial personnel who know how to interpret the law, the asylum grant rate has plummeted to just 20% in the last quarter. This is a significant shift from the high acceptance rates under the previous administration.

  • In the last quarter, nearly 80% of migrants seeking asylum were denied.
  • The Trump administration has been working to replace Biden-appointed immigration judges.

The players

Trump Administration

The current presidential administration led by former President Donald Trump, which has made restoring border security and cracking down on fraudulent asylum claims a priority.

Biden Administration

The previous presidential administration led by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, which had been criticized for lax border policies and high acceptance rates of dubious asylum claims.

Andrew Arthur

A fellow at the Center for Immigration Policy and a former immigration judge, who has commented on the impact of the Trump administration's efforts to drive down the asylum grant rate.

Michael Cutler

A former 30-year agent at the Immigration and Naturalization Services, who has praised the Trump administration's return to common-sense border policy.

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What they’re saying

“It's having a real impact. The Trump Administration is doing all kinds of things to drive down the asylum grant rate.”

— Andrew Arthur, Fellow, Center for Immigration Policy; Former Immigration Judge (New York Post)

“If you look at what asylum is supposed to be, it's a very narrow definition . . . You have to be able to demonstrate a credible fear and be able to articulate that credible fear of persecution.”

— Michael Cutler, Former 30-year Agent, Immigration and Naturalization Services (New York Post)

What’s next

The Trump administration is expected to continue its efforts to reform the immigration system and uphold the law's narrow definition of asylum, which could include further replacements of Biden-appointed immigration judges.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's crackdown on fraudulent asylum claims represents a return to the rule of law and the proper application of asylum standards, which had been undermined by the previous administration's lax policies. This shift is expected to disincentivize illegal immigration and restore integrity to the asylum process.