Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has called for urgent reforms to the global asylum framework, warning that widespread abuse threatens the very survival of the system.
Speaking at the panel “Global Refugee Asylum System: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It,” Landau outlined U.S. principles for restoring balance and protecting genuine refugees.
Introduction
Landau addressed the event in Washington, stressing that migration will remain one of the defining issues of the 21st century. He argued that while asylum protections are noble and necessary, the current system is overwhelmed by claims that stretch its original intent, leaving genuine asylum seekers trapped in bureaucratic backlogs.
Origins and Purpose of Asylum
Landau reminded the audience that international asylum law emerged after World War II, when nations recognized their failure to protect those fleeing persecution. The UN helped set global standards, while the U.S. built a domestic framework allowing those at risk of death or persecution due to race, religion, or political opinion to seek refuge.
However, he noted that asylum was always meant to be distinct from immigration. Economic hardship or the desire for opportunity, he said, were legitimate reasons for migration but not grounds for asylum.
The Current Crisis
According to Landau, massive migratory flows have blurred the line between asylum and immigration. In the United States, over 90 percent of asylum claims are ultimately found to be ineligible. Yet many applicants remain in the country for years awaiting hearings, gaining work authorization and legal status during that time.
This, he argued, has turned asylum into a “loophole” in U.S. migration law. Genuine asylum seekers, meanwhile, often face delays and reduced protection because the system is clogged with unfounded claims.
Principles Proposed by the U.S.
Landau presented five principles as the foundation for international consensus on asylum reform.
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Sovereignty | Nations have the right to control their borders and determine entry rules. |
| No automatic right | Asylum cannot be claimed in any country of choice; safety should be sought in the nearest safe haven. |
| Temporary refuge | Refugee status should end once conditions in the home country improve. |
| National authority | Only sovereign states can decide when return is safe and appropriate. |
| Duty of return | Countries must accept the swift return of their citizens if asylum claims fail. |
Illustrative Examples
Landau shared anecdotes highlighting weaknesses in current systems. He cited cases where individuals granted asylum in the U.S. returned to their home countries for visits, undermining the claim of imminent danger.
He also referenced a new Greek law requiring rejected asylum seekers to return within 14 days, noting that enforcement is essential to preserve credibility. Without consequences, he argued, asylum risks becoming a symbolic process rather than a protective mechanism.
International Implications
The Deputy Secretary emphasized that abuse of asylum protections is not unique to the U.S. but a growing global challenge. If left unresolved, he warned, more countries may dismantle asylum systems altogether, stripping protection from those who need it most.
To safeguard genuine refugees, he urged the UN and its member states to recognize abuses openly and craft reforms that align with asylum’s original humanitarian purpose.
Moving Forward
Landau concluded by stressing that reform is not about rejecting asylum but saving it. By discouraging false claims and ensuring prompt adjudication, nations can rebuild trust in the system while protecting those at genuine risk.
“If you want to have an asylum system, please do not feel that you need to defend its abuses,” he said.
“Our goal should be preserving asylum for those who truly need it.”
To Sum Up
The panel served as a reminder that migration and asylum remain central issues for international stability. Landau’s remarks framed the debate around a simple choice: reform the system to protect its integrity, or risk losing it entirely.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
