WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, an investigation by The Guardian, a British newspaper, revealed that the US government is deporting undocumented immigrants back to Central America where many face immediate threats of violence and death, and some have been killed shortly after their return.
"In order to qualify for asylum, an individual must establish, among other things, a connection between the harm he fears and one of five specific grounds, i.e., race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion," the spokesperson said.
A fear of criminal activity unrelated to at least one of the five specific grounds "will not be enough to establish eligibility for asylum" in the United States, the DHS spokesperson added.
However, the DHS official noted that foreign immigrants could still apply for asylum during their deportation proceedings.
"Those subject to potential removal are permitted the opportunity to seek asylum and/or other forms of protection," the spokesperson said. "This includes individuals subject to expedited removal or reinstatement of a prior removal order.
Specific US government screening processes were triggered for those who raised a credible fear of persecution or torture abroad, the DHS official added.
