The Department of Homeland Security announced today that immigration officials will, in effect, fast-track the removal of any undocumented immigrant found within the U.S. who cannot prove they have resided in the U.S. for two years or longer. The “expedited removal” process sidesteps the immigration courts altogether. Only if the immigrant asserts a fear of persecution in their home country – and the immigration official acknowledges this – will an asylum officer interview the immigrant to determine whether she or he may speak with a judge.
