Donald Trump has been acting as if he is a Twitter king with unidirectional power over not only the U.S. but also Mexico and a handful of Central American countries. That makes sense in a crazy sort of way. When a leader seizes singular power, it is never enough. That could be the situation with this president. Check this out.
POTUS claimed he will put an end to most asylum seekers. His new rule stated:
‘The new rule says asylum-seekers at the southern border who pass through another country and do not seek asylum there will not be eligible for the protection in the U.S., according to a statement from the departments of Justice and Homeland Security.’
The following reaction is from Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union:
‘The Trump administration is trying to unilaterally reverse our country’s legal and moral commitment to protect those fleeing danger. This new rule is patently unlawful and we will sue swiftly.’
The new rule said applicants who passed through another country and did not seek protection there will not be eligible for asylum in the United States.
What Trump was trying to accomplish was a back door method of forcing Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to keep those who previously passed through on their way to the U.S. In essence, the president of the U.S. would try to force Mexico to take back 40- to 50-thousand asylum seekers.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan released a statement that read, according to NBC News:
‘Until Congress can act, this interim rule will help reduce a major ‘pull’ factor driving irregular migration to the United States and enable DHS and DOJ to more quickly and efficiently process cases originating from the southern border, leading to fewer individuals transiting through Mexico on a dangerous journey.’
Attorney General William Barr called the interim final rule a “lawful exercise of authority provided by Congress to restrict eligibility for asylum.” Mexico has not agreed to this deal.
The Trump administration had a meeting scheduled with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, but the U.S. abruptly canceled it. The Guatemalan Constitutional Court ruled against the proposal.
There were three exceptions to the rule, according to the statement. These were meeting the severe trafficking in persons. The other exceptions were those:
‘(T)he U.S. through only a country or countries that were not parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol, or the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.’
Trump’s rule would start “effective immediately,” according to the statement.
Executive Director of the nonprofit Immigration Equality Aaron Morris advocates for the LGBT people moving through the immigration system:
‘It is their most blatant attempt so far to dismantle the asylum system altogether in clear violation of domestic and international law. LGBTQ people have remarkably strong asylum cases due to the high risk of persecution in their countries of origin. Denying them the chance to apply for protection in the United States will lead to senseless and avoidable violence and death.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
