Some Florida residents may have heard about a new policy that involves sending asylum seekers back to Mexico to await a decision on their fate. Thousands of people have been sent back across the border. Many are from Cuba and Central America, while others are from Peru and Cameroon.
White House suffers setback in immigration battle
Florida residents who are following the legal battles over President Trump's attempts to stem the flow of Central American migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border may be aware that the administration's attorneys had an eventful day on July 24. In the morning, a federal judge in Washington, D.C. chose not to block a rule that would require migrants to file their asylum claims in a third country rather than continuing to the United States. In the afternoon, a judge in San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction order that temporarily suspends the controversial rule.
Some officials call for refugee admissions to be slashed
There may be fewer refugees in Florida and the rest of the country if the Trump administration has its way in 2020. Reportedly, one official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to cut the number of refugees allowed into the country to zero. Other suggestions from the Department of Homeland Security range from 3,000 to 10,000. This is substantially less than the roughly 95,000 refugees the country has accepted every year since 1980.
New asylum rule set to take effect
Effective July 16, immigrants who passed through another country prior to reaching Florida or other states are no longer eligible for asylum. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 5 to 40% of immigrants seeking asylum in the past decade have failed to pass the credible fear test. Research from Syracuse University also found that the number of asylum denials increased in 2017. Attorney General William Barr said that the new rule will decrease what he called "forum shopping" by economic migrants.
Immigration detention policy halted by federal judge
Florida residents are likely aware that immigration has become one of the nation's most contentious political issues. President Trump has referred to the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as a crisis, and many of the measures he has taken to address the problem have been criticized by his opponents and challenged in the courts by civil rights groups. One such case was argued before a federal judge on July 2, and the outcome was another setback for the Trump administration.
Trump urges Mexico to adopt safe third country policy
Florida residents who are following the ongoing political debate over immigration will likely know that President Trump recently threatened to impose a tariff of 5% on all goods imported from Mexico. Those tariffs were put on hold when the Mexican government agreed to step up its efforts to stem the flow of migrants traveling from Central America to border crossing points in California, Arizona, and Texas. However, Trump now wants Mexico to go further by adopting a safe third country policy.
Asylum seekers allege unwritten ICE policy in lawsuit
Florida residents may be aware that several of President Donald Trump's more controversial immigration policies have been challenged in the courts. The latest such lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C., on May 30 by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 12 asylum seekers who have been denied bail. The plaintiffs allege that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has an unwritten policy of denying parole whenever possible to deter what it sees as widespread abuses of the asylum system.
Central American asylum seekers face long waits in Mexico
Florida residents may be aware that the Trump administration is engaged in a contentious legal battle with civil rights groups over its 'Remain in Mexico" policy. The policy requires asylum seekers from Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua to wait in Mexico until their claims can be heard. Groups including the American Civil Liberties Union say the policy violates international treaties and U.S. law, but the courts have so far backed the president.
Trump administration wins unexpected victory in asylum case
Florida residents may be aware that the Trump administration is involved in a protracted legal battle with civil rights groups over the plight of Central American immigrants at the Mexican border who are seeking asylum in the United States. President Trump has referred to the situation as a national emergency and ordered asylum seekers who cross the border returned to Mexico to wait for a hearing. That policy was brought to a halt on April 8 by a federal judge in California, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit reversed the ruling on May 7 with a decision that surprised many pundits.
Trump proposes fee for asylum seekers
In a new memorandum sent to the U.S. attorney general and acting homeland security secretary, the Trump Administration ordered an overhaul to the asylum system that would include a fee for migrants seeking protection in Florida and other states. The administration claims that the current system is being abused by a surge of migrants who are overwhelming federal resources. Authorities have been given 90 days to find a solution that processes all applications within 180 days of filing.
