Trump wants asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for processing  -  which usually takes six months  Trump wants asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for processing  -  which usually takes six months  The Trump administration will force asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their claim is processed, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.  Under the new "Remain in Mexico" policy, only Central American migrants who can persuade U.S. immigration officials they have a "reasonable fear" of persecution in Mexico will be allowed to cross the border into the United States.  Those who fail to establish this will be denied entry while their asylum claims are processed, according to Department of Homeland Security officials and government planning documents  -  a process which takes an average of six months.  The newspaper reported that the policy could take effect as soon as Friday, and that teams of asylum officers were being sent to ports of entry to implement the changes.  DHS spokeswoman Katie Waldman said in statement the department was not implementing a new enforcement program this week, but that "every single legal option is on the table to secure our nation."  The Trump administration will force asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their claim is processed, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.  Under the new "Remain in Mexico" policy, only Central American migrants who can persuade U.S. immigration officials they have a "reasonable fear" of persecution in Mexico will be allowed to cross the border into the United States.  Those who fail to establish this will be denied entry while their asylum claims are processed, according to Department of Homeland Security officials and government planning documents  -  a process which takes an average of six months.  The newspaper reported that the policy could take effect as soon as Friday, and that teams of asylum officers were being sent to ports of entry to implement the changes.  DHS spokeswoman Katie Waldman said in statement the department was not implementing a new enforcement program this week, but that "every single legal option is on the table to secure our nation."  The 