During the Trump administration, immigration courts in the Bay Area, specifically in San Francisco and Concord, have rejected asylum claims at a rate nearly double that of the previous administration. From February to August, federal immigration judges denied 54% of the 4,019 asylum cases they reviewed, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. In contrast, during the preceding seven months under President Joe Biden, the denial rate was 26% for 3,355 cases.

Experts attribute this increase to new restrictions on asylum eligibility implemented by the Trump administration as part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy. Additionally, there has been pressure on immigration courts to expedite case processing to address a significant backlog, which has been exacerbated by the dismissal of numerous immigration judges nationwide.

The changes have reportedly fostered a climate of fear among asylum seekers, as noted by Milli Atkinson, director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program at the San Francisco Bar Association. Asylum is a legal protection for individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in specific social groups. The Trump administration has justified its immigration policies by accusing the Biden administration of compromising public safety through perceived leniency in asylum processing.

In response to a violent incident involving an Afghan asylum recipient, federal officials have announced intentions to pause the asylum process and enhance vetting procedures for applicants. However, advocates argue that asylum seekers already undergo extensive background checks.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently suspended a process that allowed asylum seekers without pending deportation cases to appeal denials to immigration judges. Despite these developments, immigration courts in San Francisco have continued to operate normally, although the U.S. Justice Department has not clarified how these changes might affect court proceedings.

The Trump administration has dismissed approximately 90 immigration judges across the country, including 11 in San Francisco and three in Concord, raising concerns about the integrity of the immigration system. The Department of Justice has begun recruiting new judges, emphasizing a commitment to national security and public safety.

Asylum claims surged after Biden took office, driven by individuals fleeing violence and economic hardship in Central and South America. Despite the Biden administration's attempts to impose additional asylum restrictions, the backlog of cases has exceeded 1.1 million. The Trump administration's directives have made it more challenging for applicants to secure asylum, particularly regarding claims related to domestic violence and gang-related threats.

While the denial rate in the Bay Area has increased, it remains lower than the national average, where 80% of asylum decisions resulted in denials as of August. The total number of denials has reached unprecedented levels, with over 9,000 denials per month earlier this year, the highest since at least the George W. Bush administration. In the Bay Area, the Concord court has seen a tripling of denials, while San Francisco's monthly denials have also risen but remain below previous peaks.

Atkinson noted that the presence of legal representation in the Bay Area may contribute to lower denial rates, but many asylum seekers are increasingly abandoning their claims due to the fear of detention and separation from family members. This trend highlights the desperation faced by individuals seeking refuge in the United States.