Yesterday, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement on Justice Department Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to eliminate a requirement for those seeking asylum to have a full hearing before an immigration judge:

“This week, Attorney General Sessions unilaterally vacated a decision finding that asylum seekers are entitled to a full hearing, including the opportunity to provide oral testimony or other evidence. This decision by Attorney General Sessions represents a complete disregard for due process and an abandonment of our moral legacy to help those fleeing oppression and persecution. While the impact of this decision is still unclear because the Attorney General fails to provide explicit guidance to immigration judges, what is clear is that this is yet another example of the Trump Administration attempting to restrict protection for the most vulnerable, as they have done with refugees, children and families.  Our U.S. asylum system provides protection for those who are fleeing dangerous situations because of their race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group.  We should be honoring our legacy as a protector of the oppressed, and should not restrict due process for asylum seekers.”

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