New Trump Border Plan Would Reportedly Force Asylum Seekers to Wait in Mexico While Cases Processed
Late Wednesday, The Washington Post reported on a new Trump administration plan that would reportedly force asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their cases are processed.
The plan is a major break from current procedure at our nation’s southern border.
The Washington Post reports:
According to DHS memos obtained by The Washington Post on Wednesday, Central American asylum seekers who cannot establish a “reasonable fear” of persecution in Mexico will not be allowed to enter the United States and would be turned around at the border.
The plan, called “Remain in Mexico,” amounts to a major break with current screening procedures, which generally allow those who establish a fear of return to their home countries to avoid immediate deportation and remain in the United States until they can get a hearing with an immigration judge. Trump despises this system, which he calls “catch and release,” and has vowed to end it.
According to the DHS memos obtained by WaPo, officers will instruct asylum seekers that unless they are determined to have a “reasonable fear” they will not be allowed to stay in the United States before an immigration hearing.
“If you are determined to have a reasonable fear of remaining in Mexico, you will be permitted to remain in the United States while you await your hearing before an immigration judge,” the memo instructing asylum officers on what to say to asylum seekers reads. “If you are not determined to have a reasonable fear of remaining in Mexico, you will remain in Mexico.”
Two DHS officials told WaPo that the changes in policy could start as soon as Friday. However, according to DHS spox Katie Waldman, the policy will not start “this week.”
“The President has made clear — every single legal option is on the table to secure our nation and to deal with the flood of illegal immigrants at our borders,” the statement from Waldman reads. “DHS is not implementing such a new enforcement program this week.”
Under current Mexican law, asylum seekers are not allowed to remain in Mexico.
