Webinar: What is the Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) Process?

Описание: In May 2023, DHS announced a new process for families who enter the United States seeking asylum and are placed in expedited removal (“ER”) proceedings. Under the Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) process, families may be placed under electronic surveillance and allowed to travel to their intended destination city to await a non-detained credible fear interview (“CFI”). Currently, FERM is being implemented in Chicago, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Newark, Denver, and Minneapolis.

DHS intends to process FERM cases on an extremely short timeline, which includes conducting the CFI a mere 6 to 12 days after the family’s arrival in the United States. If the asylum office denies the family’s claim, an immigration judge review (if requested) typically occurs within 48 hours of receiving the negative decision. These short time frames present real challenges in relation to securing legal orientation, consultation and representation.

In this webinar, AI Justice staff provided an overview of the FERM process and how it fits within the broader history of processing asylum seeking families, accounts from families enrolled to the new process, and information on how you can support asylum seeking families placed in FERM in a city near you.