When someone feels forced to leave their home country due to dangerous conditions, they can apply for asylum in the U.S. “Credible fear” is an initial assessment by an asylum officer who determines whether an individual has a legitimate fear of persecution or torture. If they do, they can proceed to a full asylum hearing before an immigration judge. To be eligible for asylum, the individual must demonstrate “well-founded fear of persecution,” which is a higher standard than the “significant possibility” standard of the initial screening process. For more information about what the asylum application process looks like for immigrants, see this article.
The credible fear screening is a crucial part of the asylum process that aims to balance efficient processing with due process rights. Eliminating this screening will lead to the deportation of genuine asylum seekers, causing them harm and possibly death. For more information about the credible fear assessment and why it’s necessary, see this fact sheet.
