Trump's Asylum Clampdown: Global Refugee System at Risk, India Impacted

• Donald Trump's renewed push to restrict US asylum access signals a major shift in global refugee protection, moving from traditional protection to deterrence.
• New policies include public-health justifications and 'safe third country' agreements with nations like Uganda, Honduras, and Ecuador, despite their human rights records.
• The US shift weakens international refugee norms (1951 Refugee Convention), potentially leading other nations to adopt similar restrictive policies and shifting the burden.
• India, not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention but hosting many refugees, faces increased pressure and fewer pathways for burden-sharing.
• Indian asylum claims in the US surged to 41,330 in 2023; Trump's stricter regime means higher rejection rates and less legal protection for them.

Why It Matters: Trump's asylum clampdown threatens global refugee norms, increasing pressure on nations like India and impacting asylum seekers.