U.S. will reportedly start sending some asylum seekers to Mexico

Starting on Friday, some asylum seekers trying to enter the United States will be forced to wait in Mexico while their cases go through the courts, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Previously, most asylum seekers were allowed to stay in the United States while waiting for their court hearings. This new policy change will not affect unaccompanied minors or asylum seekers from Mexico. The plan is to first implement the changes at the San Ysidro border crossing in California, the busiest crossing in the country. At first, just 20 claims will be processed a day, with the ultimate goal being at least 100 a day.

When asylum seekers have a court date, U.S. officials will shuttle them between Tijuana and downtown San Diego, but the Trump administration will not make arrangements for them to meet with their lawyers, AP reports; the attorneys will have to call or travel to Tijuana. It's likely this new policy will face a legal challenge.

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