Background
Since World War Two, international agreements have safeguarded the right to seek asylum. The Trump administration, which has already reshaped U.S. immigration policy at home, is now preparing to take its restrictive vision global.

What Happened
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the administration plans to use the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month to advocate limiting asylum rights. The proposal would require asylum seekers to apply for protection in the first country they enter, and make asylum temporary, with host countries deciding when return is safe.

Why It Matters
If adopted, this would mark a major shift away from decades of international refugee protections. Critics warn it could return the world to conditions similar to the Holocaust era, when people fleeing persecution had few safe havens.

Stakeholder Reactions
Mark Hetfield of HIAS, a refugee resettlement group, said weakening asylum rights would endanger lives, stressing that existing agreements guarantee protection for those fleeing persecution. Meanwhile, Trump officials argue the system is “abused” for economic migration. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is expected to lead the UN event, while Trump’s nominee Andrew Veprek has called for a fundamental reshaping of asylum norms.

What’s Next
The administration will press allies to back its approach, though broad international support remains uncertain. Reports suggest Trump officials are also prioritizing resettlement for South African Afrikaners, reflecting a controversial shift in refugee policy.

with information from Reuters.