Washington — Federal asylum officers can deny interviews to asylum seekers and send them immediately to an immigration judge, speeding up deportation proceedings, under a rule U.S. It could create weakened asylum claims before immigration judges, resulting in quick denials and orders of removal. “This rule will shorten the total time that it takes asylum officers and Immigration Judges to adjudicate asylum applications,” a DHS press release said. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said in a statement the rule would make sure asylum officers only consider “legitimate” applicants. “For far too long the asylum system has been exploited for purposes of delay and work authorization, not legitimate claims of protection,” he said.