Judging from the comments section ,Democrats ,as in the last election will be voting GOP if only to save their necks from the invasion of hundreds of millions if the Democrats get their way.
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When did our country decide that hating immigrants and asylum seekers was a virtue?
The worst consequence of trump's takeover has been that otherwise intelligent compassionate people, once reliably liberal, now embrace the Wars on the Poor and Immigrants.
White Europeans conquered this continent through violence and disease, decimating the Native Peoples. Out of necessity the conquers became dependant on Immigrants to populate this new country and provide low paid and slave labor. Now that we have an enormous pool of poverty stricken Americans, immigrants are no longer welcome. How is that virtuous?
3
More immigrants are coming from China right now. Legalize all Mexicans with the obligation to vote or be voted in elections in Mexico maybe better people get there.
Or outright that the USA extends its borders to the north of Panama, since they are failed countries.
1
I'm a liberal, but my apologies, I don't think these migrants qualify for asylum in the U.S.. It states pretty clearly in the article, they are fleeing poverty and violence, and the violence is coming from gangs, not their governments.
Poverty is not a reason for asylum in the U.S.. Having violent gangs isn't either. Fleeing a war, for example in Syria, is a good reason for asylum, but none of these particular migrants are actually fleeing a war.
Also, it's understandable that these people are fleeing the violent gangs in El Salvador, but why would they need to come to the U.S.? As soon as they got to Mexico, they were fairly safe. If they'd headed south instead, Panama would have been fine, as would Peru. Why do they think the U.S. would be obligated to take them in?
So, while I still despise Trump in every way, I'm not a fan of these illegal immigrants either. And sorry if that's offensive, but the term is accurate, as their aim is to immigrate illegally, to cut the line ahead of millions of people who want to immigrate here. I hope they get turned back at the border, peacefully, and they can try their luck in Mexico.
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To anyone saying that they are undermining our laws, people are allowed to come to the U.S. to apply for asylum. It seems to me that these people don't want immigrants to follow our immigration laws as much as they want none of them in the U.S.
3
If these people are truly fleeing persecution and violence then some should be happy to apply for asylum and stay in Mexico. Its kind of like those migrants who go to Calais, saying they need asylum, but that it needs to be in the UK and not any of the numerous European countries they have just passed through
23
US taxpayers give hundreds of millions to Mexico honduras ect. where is it? check mansions ,all over the world ,from Switzerland to Colorado to NYC and Miami.
15
Many people who complain about illegal immigration, say the immigrants should go through legal channels like they are supposed to. Well, these migrants ARE going through a legal channel--asking for asylum. Is the complaint really whether the channel they arrive through is illegal or not or is it something else?
We have no idea right now if their legal means of entry is denied, but if the instrument exists for them to apply legally, I certainly don't see anything wrong with them trying.
2
A few things - you say the vast majority of these "migrants" are female but only interview 3 males - where are the females? As someone else noted, in previous reports you used scare quotes around caravan, now you don't. In those reports you also seemed to indicate that most were really going to stay in Mexico.
You claim "Mr. Sessions’s statement did not seem to allow for the possibility that some members of the caravan might have legitimate claims to asylum in the United States." The fact that none of these bothered to make the claim in Mexico may support this.
19
US policy should be to allow entrance to the US only for people with visas.
All others will e turned away.
Anyone crossing the border illegally will be transported back to the country they entered from.
All asylum requests will be processed at the US Embassy in the country of origin.
This will stop the costly and dangerous journey and maintain a secure border.
Why can't the Government figure out these easy solutions??
Please forward this suggestion to President Trump.
15
Immigration laws according to the Mexican government are a soverign matter. So why does their government and counsulates in the US dictate our immigtation laws. We have every right to prevent the Mexican government from encouraging and supporting mass illegal immigration into the US from Central America.
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"(...) their arrival at the border was “a deliberate attempt to undermine our laws and overwhelm our system.”
If this is true and a mere 1,200 asylum seekers already overwhelm our system, we urgently need comprehensive immigration reform.
The good news is that such a bill exists and could easily pass in Congress. It even included full funding of Trump's wall.
The bad news is that Trump refused to sign it anyhow. Why? Because it included his own DACA proposal, and Trump decided to flip-flop at the very last minute, to no longer support his own proposal. So now, because of a couple of Dreamers, there will never be a wall, AND Trump will keep a system that can't even handle 1,200 official asylum seekers.
When it comes to immigrations, Trump is clearly "all talk, no action".
2
There is an undercurrent here of corrupt Latin American politicians, military personnel, and police who abuse their people and then benefit when they leave. US immigration policy benefits corrupt politicians by reducing pressure for reform and for better law enforcement. Governments in these countries should be dealing with the gangs who prey on citizens.
The rot in the Mexican government is illustrated by Raúl Salinas de Gortari, brother of the former Mexican president, who stole hundreds of millions of dollars (maybe over a billion) of Government money that didn't get used to improve the living conditions of citizens.
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In other words, they too have their Mulvaney's and Pruitt's ...
1
But it's always somehow our fault and we should let in ALL who want to into our country and give them all that they may need. How many millions are there?
Endless.
18
Why does the US approve such a low percentage of asylum claims in comparison to Germany? The US has unlimited space. How is it fair that a black kid born in Chicago has so much when a hard working black from Honduras has so little? With their massive birthrates these Central American countries are at risk of violent revolution if their people cannot get to the US.
4
Well you explain it right there. The U.S. doesn't have unlimited space, because nowhere does, and letting in unlimited numbers of people with massive birthrates, as you say, would decrease resources available for all Americans.
For that matter, why is it the obligation of the U.S. to provide for people who have never done anything for the U.S.? I certainly wouldn't expect El Salvador to have to accept me as a citizen if I showed up there.
51
Maybe they should control their birth rates then instead of expecting the rest of the world to support them.
9
Perhaps then a violent revolution is necessary?
Also, we take in over a million LEGAL immigrants a year.
No other country does this.
13
So if people show up in USA and claim asylum we let them in,while others waiting for years don't get in [while their papers are looked into]?
No wonder most of Americans are furious and upset.
56
They made it over the border from Honduras into Mexico, a country with a similar culture. Fine. Let them stay there. They should be automatically turned around at the border.
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If they have valid claims for asylum, why haven’t they sought refuge in Mexico or in other countries closer to their own? Why have they traveled all the way to the United States?
Perhaps their real motivation is not asylum, but the ability to partake of all of the U.S. government subsidies for which American residents are eligible.
55
Would you want to live or raise a family in Mexico these days?
1
To answer...they have no valid claims for asylum. If these people have traveled through Mexico, the US owes them nothing--not even (in theory) the review of their asylum declaration. It is all detailed in the treaty from 1951. These people are just working the same scam that hundreds of thousands have worked in Europe since 2014. Show up, make your asylum claim, give only enough details to make your claim difficult if not impossible to validate, sit around and live off taxpayers money while your claim is being validated, if the media show up, bleat out your story to any who listen--they always do, as they need to work their disgusting ALL REFUGEES ARE SACRED lie. If you sit around long enough, and there is enough phony concern by well-meaning, but stupid "progressives", some stooge will cave and let you into the country. And then you set about getting the rest of your extended family in. Rinse and repeat. Over and over again. Enjoy being swindled, America? Don't let this start there. End "catch and release" shut these people off at the border. If even one is successful, 15 will we on the way. You don't owe these people a living.
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The US needs to turn these people around, at the border, and send them back where they came from. Me? I do not beleive any of these tall tails about terror from gangs. I grew up in a gang neighborhood, gangsters battle other gangsters and that's about it. These folks are looking for an easy in. Send them back now!
44
When you were first reporting this story, you used quote marks around the word caravan--ie, "caravan."
Now it's used without quotes.
And while Mexico claims the right to set its own immigration laws, don't we get to do the same?
Fleeing violence and fleeing poverty are not the same thin.
50
Um, in case you haven't noticed, we do set our own immigration laws. American citizens differ on what those laws should be, as they differ on many things. Some of these people will apply for asylum, and the US government will decide whether or not to grant it. What is wrong with that?
8
Well, we won't get to set new immigration laws under Trump, apparently, as he still didn't sign any comprehensive immigration bill into law and still failed to negotiate with his own Republicans to obtain money for his wall.
So that means that we'll stick to current immigration law.
That was set by Americans, not Mexicans. And indeed, fleeing poverty is not recognized by US law as a reason for asylum.
So what is your problem, actually?
1
So, a transnational advocacy group has decided that they get to define US immigration law? They facilitate caravans of poor people to head to the US border? What gives this group the right to ignore our immigration laws, and take advantage of these people?
We need to discourage people from attempting these journeys, which will require some difficult decisions in the short term, turning people away. Being “helped” by advocacy groups makes me furious. If they want to help, these groups should focus on improving conditions in these countries instead of flaunting USLaw.
63
Australia is the only country with the stones to set policy--"if you land by ship, you will NOT stay here" and actually keep it. Austria is on the way. Close the door. Lock it. It is the only way to work this--and don't take any charity cases from parasitic NGOs. Italy has put up with these NGOs--playing hero and godsend-- dumping boatloads of Africans off on Italian ports for years now. No reason for it. And now most of southern Italy is little more than a holding pen for thousands of illiterate, unskilled African illegal migrants.
17
I feel very conflicted about this issue. These are good people who should not be forced to go back to lives that are constantly under threat. On the other hand it bothers me that they openly, and proudly flout our laws.
30
Hi Jake -
In fact, under US law, seeking asylum is very much legal:
"Every year people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to:
Race
Religion
Nationality
Membership in a particular social group
Political opinion
If you are eligible for asylum you may be permitted to remain in the United States. To apply for Asylum, file a Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of your arrival to the United States. There is no fee to apply for asylum." - US Customs & Immigration Website
> https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum
8
They aren't flouting any laws. They are applying for asylum while in Mexico.
7
This has got to change. Actually, a person is obligated to apply for asylum (if that is the goal) in the FIRST country that can offer refuge from the supposed persecution. That is Mexico. But, this whole swindle has gotten beyond common sense of law. it is just a big game being worked by craven NGOs, criminal smuggling gangs, and lying immigration lawyers now. The US has every right to return all of them to Mexico. Like all the European countries have to right to return the thousands of illegal migrants who wander into it to Greece.
12