Do Democrats believe in open borders? By not enforcing immigration law, it looks that way….(9…Having to use Startup Repair…)
Robert Robb
Yahoo.com
July 20, 2019
For years, Republicans have claimed that Democrats favor “open borders” when it comes to immigration. Democrats have protested that this is an inaccurate depiction of their position.
Historically, Democrats were on sound ground rejecting Republican hyperbole about their views. These days, however, “open borders” is starting to have the ring of truth about what Democrats favor.
While there has been a slight slowdown of late, the border has been overrun with immigrants from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras traveling with children. They turn themselves in to border patrol agents, saying they are seeking asylum.
The courts have established an inescapable box regarding what the U.S. can do with such immigrants. The courts have held that children can be held for no more than 20 days. And that families cannot be separated.
Show up with a child, get a pass
So, after a brief detention, they are released into the country with a court appearance scheduled for some distant time in future. The word has gotten out: Show up at the U.S. border with a child, claim asylum and you will be admitted into the country.
But people fleeing conditions in these Central American countries aren’t legally eligible for asylum. That requires a fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Fleeing because of a fear of violence, irrespective of how valid, or due to a lack of economic opportunity, doesn’t qualify for refugee status, unless it is because of one of the enumerated group identities.
That’s not what’s happening in these countries. They are violent and lack economic opportunity. But people aren’t singled out for the misery because of their group identity. The misery is a general condition for a substantial portion of the population.
Republicans want to change policy so that showing up at the border with a child and claiming asylum doesn’t automatically result in admission, in the belief that would staunch the flow overwhelming border resources.
The Rest…HERE
