CNN inadvertently exposes so-called 'asylum seeker' waiting until Trump leaves office to enter US

A segment aired on CNN has drawn criticism for inadvertently exposing apparent asylum fraud after it featured an “asylum seeker” who admitted she was waiting for President Donald Trump to leave office before she enters the country.

The video report highlighted a woman identified as Cecilia, a Guatemalan national living with her husband and two children. According to CNN, she had previously attempted to come to the United States and had scheduled an asylum appointment through the CBP app, but the appointment was canceled shortly after Trump took office.

When asked whether she still planned to seek entry into the United States, Cecilia responded in Spanish while preparing a meal at home, “We’re waiting for that president to go,” adding, “after that we’ll try.”

The remarks quickly circulated online, prompting social media users to question if individuals who delay entry can meet the legal definition of an asylum seeker.

According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, asylum may be granted to individuals who meet the definition of a refugee and are physically present in the United States. Refugees are defined as individuals who have been “persecuted or have a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion.”

Since taking office, the Trump administration has implemented new restrictions, arguing that the system has been too broadly applied and, in some cases, used by individuals who may not meet the legal threshold for asylum. Officials have also noted that many migrants could seek refuge in countries closer to their origin, such as Mexico.

In November, the administration paused processing for roughly four million asylum applications as part of a wider immigration policy shift following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national in Washington, DC. While the Department of Homeland Security has since lifted a full suspension, a partial pause remains in place for applicants from dozens of countries.

"USCIS has lifted the adjudicative hold for thoroughly screened asylum seekers from non high-risk countries," a DHS spokesperson said, according to NPR. "This move allows resources to focus on continued rigorous national security and public safety vetting for higher-risk cases."