The pandemic helped the government to reduce immigration

Since President Trump took office in 2017, he has focused heavily on reducing both legal and illegal immigration, arguing that public resources should be available only to legal citizens.

Immigration policies in the US, especially for asylum and refuge requests, have been significantly modified in recent years.

Nowadays, due to the global pandemic of the Coronavirus, the current government decided to implement even stricter measures for asylum cases in the country.

Currently, no immigrant is allowed to enter the US, meaning that applications for asylum or refuge are temporarily suspended.

The government’s arguments

The Trump administration states that stopping asylum claims helps prevent a massive spread of COVID-19 inside Immigration Detention Centers around the country.

The government also mentions other benefits of temporarily banning immigration in the US, for instance:

• Prevent a greater number of people infected in North American territory.
• Avoid a massive outbreak of Coronavirus among immigrant communities.
• Suspending asylum claims protects public health.
• Protect the health system from possible saturation.
• Safeguard essential resources to overcome the health crisis and help the local population.
• Avoid immigrant conglomerations in courts and offices of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
• Protect the economy and public benefits.

The repercussions of this measure

The US government is trying to protect local resources and the health system at all costs, yet the repercussions can be devastating.

Immigrants currently arriving at the borders willing to apply for asylum or refuge have two options:

• Go to the borders of Mexico to wait for an opportunity for an audience.
  Thousands of immigrant families live on the borders in overcrowded temporary shelters, at constant risk, without food or proper hygiene.
• Be deported to Central American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
  (If you need help with a deportation case, please click here.) 

These are third world countries that have clearly stated their lack of medical resources for immigrants deported from the US.

Central America is not ready for a massive outbreak of Coronavirus. There are not enough medical personnel and the supply of life-saving utensils is very limited as well.

Trump’s government receives strong criticism for this measure

Entire communities of immigrant rights advocates have declared their disagreement with this policy.

In fact, the Latin American Working Group (LAWG) strongly criticized the current government, stating: “Let’s be clear, extending this asylum ban is not about public health concerns, it’s about using a pandemic to shut out the most vulnerable people seeking protection at our border. The Trump Administration continues to eviscerate our asylum system. The result will be that families, men, women, and children will be sent to danger and left in limbo. We urge the administration to rescind this order immediately”.

Several critics around the country also disagree with keeping the borders closed indefinitely for asylum-seekers and refugees.

They disagree with this measure for multiple reasons:

• The US has a duty, as a First World country, to protect international human rights and offer refuge to the most vulnerable.
• The US can face the current crisis better than Central America, therefore, deportations to these countries should stop immediately.
• The current government is using this strategy to meet the immigration agenda established since 2017.
• Elections are coming and the government wants to prove that the country is better without mass immigration.
• The US needs the help of foreign workforce to overcome the current situation.
• The health system and other areas of local markets are already feeling a shortage because there is not enough local workers to counteract the impact of the pandemic.

The government’s response to these criticisms

The US government has shown no intention of removing this measure until the risk to public health decreases.

However, this measure is becoming increasingly controversial and it would be wise for the current administration to find a way to reopen borders for asylum seekers as soon as possible.

We are here to help you!

USCIS offices will reopen in June 2020 and rates may increase. It is the right time to follow the immigration processes correctly and protect your family from any possible risk.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.