[This is a bi-weekly publication produced by Senior Policy Associate Cheasty Anderson. New issues will be posted here on this blog or you can subscribe to have them delivered directly to your inbox.]
Dear Partners and Friends,
Apologies that this is coming out later than usual. I’ve been juggling some sick kids. You can expect October to resume the regular beginning and middle of the month schedule. Thank you so much for wanting to stay up to date on what’s happening. Here’s the latest roundup of immigration-related news, and our bi-weekly action opportunity. Please let me know as things cross your desk that you think might be of value for our next newsletter, and as always, feel free to forward to folks who might want to join our list.
Lead Stories:
MPP is Subjecting Migrants to Kidnappings and Violence
This week, asylum seekers detailed the horrors they face when they’re sent back to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols. Only about half of asylum seekers have shown up for their court dates. Many asylum seekers have shown up to the tent courts without proper representation and with stories of being kidnapped and pressured to abandon their claims.
Asylum Ban remains in place while it’s challenged in courts
Last year, the Supreme Court refused to allow the immediate implementation of the first Asylum Ban – preventing those that did not enter through a port of entry from seeking asylum. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled to allow the immediate implementation of the second Asylum Ban. The second Asylum Ban only allows asylum applications on the southern border from those that have applied, and been denied, asylum in a country through which they have transited since leaving their own. Since most people seeking asylum on the southern border have passed a country that was not their country of origin, this effectively makes applying for asylum on the southern border impossible. This unexplained reversal exacerbates the problems with the Migrant Protection Protocols and puts thousand asylum seekers in more danger.
Action Item:
Help Spread the Word on Migrant Detention Conditions
Help keep everyone informed of the worsening conditions migrants are facing by retweeting or sharing the DPBP Complaint of CBP practices and OIG report on HHS practices.
Other Recent News of Interest:
- Public Outrage Forces Trump to Walk Back on Medical Deferred Action Changes
- Trump’s War on Children
- Trump’s New Rule to Punish Immigrants Shows How Bad American Jobs Are
- New Facilities for Migrant Children Slated for Texas
- Trump’s “Public Charge Rule” Will Only Make America Worse
- Homeland Security to Collect Social Media Usernames on Immigration and Visitor Applications
Thanks so much for reading and staying informed.