New Rules Prevent Applying in US if Avoidable

The new rules for asylum are the next attempt by the Trump Administration to reduce the flow of illegal aliens over the US border. The way the current (broken) system is, people sprint over the border by hook or crook (human traffickers or independent tresspass) and then claim asylum, get assigned a court date and disappear into the country. Less than 10% of asylum applications are granted.

I hope he does it anyway and relies on his job description as Executive to justify it.

Many of those asylum-seekers are just economic migrants looking to improve their situations. Rather that wait in line for legal immigration, which might take years, they take their chances. A lot of them are from countries in Central America, many of those are poor but not subjecting their citizens to asylum-worthy abuse, despite the initial claims. There are conditions that streamline the process for those with proven claims.

Attorney General William Barr

New Asylum Rules, Old Asylum Problems

The rules now require claimants to file for Asylum in any declared safe 3rd countries they pass through. This way they are not a liability to the US as if they really are seeking asylum, the first “safe” country they pass through should be good. Of course it will be challenged in court like any rule set by this Administration, deserving or not. Opponents claim this is a trick to keep legitimate asylum-seekers out of the US.

Now Mexico, whom initially was to be deemed a “safe” country, does not want to get involved. They claim their own Asylum system is overloaded. The ruling bars even making the claim in America if the person(s) have traveled through a 3rd country to get here. Guatemala also does not want to be declared a “safe” third country, taking in refugees from countries to the south, like Honduras, El Salvador, and others. Guatemala’s Constitutional Court prevented their President from signing a “safe” third country agreement.

Not Just For Brown People

In addition to Central Americans, these rules should reduce the flow of other economic migrants from all over. The African nations of Cameroon and The Congo, for example. Illegal immigrants are now starting to appear from there to our borders in greater numbers. They often fly to South American countries not requiring passports or entry visas, and begin their trek northwards. They often pass through eight or more different nations to get here.

With the lack of any way to quarantine illegal immigrants, we are playing Russian Roulette with exposures to things from Typhoid to Aids to even Ebola. Putting a halt to the free flow of people is in our best interest, even if vote-hunting Democrats are willing to risk it. President Trump on the other hand, wants to protect America if he can. We shall see if the courts want to stop him, in which case I hope he does it anyway and relies on his job description as Executive to justify it.