WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the Supreme Court ruling on who is entitled to judicial review of an initial claim of asylum when entering the United States.

“I’m very pleased to see the Supreme Court uphold expedited removal of meritless asylum claims. This decision by the Supreme Court will substantially help shut down the magnet that our asylum laws have created for illegal immigration.

“The asylum process has been abused in the past, and I applaud the Trump administration for bringing order to chaos. 

“Word spread all over Central America that if you get into the United States and claim asylum, you’re home free.

“The court’s decision today upholds the principle enacted by Congress that asylum cases have to meet initial screening criteria to be legitimate. When the asylum seeker’s claim is believed to be meritless by the appropriate investigating agencies, there is no right to judicial review, thus allowing for expedited removal.”

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