Judge blocks Trump policy forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico
Alan Gomez
3 hrs ago
A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration's policy requiring Central American asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are decided in the U.S., ruling that Department of Homeland Security overstepped its legal authority.
That policy was one of the last attempts by outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to gain control of the southern border, which has seen such an increase in illegal crossings that she resigned from her post over the weekend.
U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco ordered the Trump administration to allow the plaintiffs in the case — 11 migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras — to enter the U.S. within two days. He issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that prevents the administration from forcing future asylum-seekers back into Mexico. The order goes into effect on Friday.
Seeborg, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, ruled that the Trump policy was not properly implemented and violated both U.S. laws and the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees, which the U.S. is a party to. The asylum-seekers, Seeborg ruled, were already fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries, only to be returned to Mexican border towns "where they face undue risk to their lives and freedom."
Trump complained of Seeborg's ruling Monday night on Twitter: "A 9th Circuit Judge just ruled that Mexico is too dangerous for migrants. So unfair to the U.S. OUT OF CONTROL!" he said.
The ruling marks the third straight time the Trump administration has been shot down in its attempts to limit or halt asylum-seekers who have been arriving at the U.S. border in record numbers.
"Try as it may, the Trump administration cannot simply ignore our laws in order to accomplish its goal of preventing people from seeking asylum in the United States," said Judy Rabinovitz, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project who argued the case.
In December, another federal judge struck down the Department of Justice's attempt to cut off asylum for victims of domestic abuse and gang violence. In November, another federal judge struck down Justice's attempts to cut off asylum for people who crossed into the country illegally, which is allowed under U.S. law.
In that case, U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar wrote that Trump "may not rewrite the immigration laws."
Provided by USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Families hoping to seek asylum in the United States wait on the bridge connecting Reynosa, Mexico, to Hidalgo, Texas, on March 15, 2019.
Monday's ruling follows a suit filed by Central American migrants who were among the first to be returned to Tijuana after requesting asylum at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in southern California, and several humanitarian groups that have been assisting migrants.
The policy, officially called the "Migrant Protection Protocols" but informally referred to as the "Remain in Mexico" plan, started in January at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in southern California. The policy has expanded to the Calexico Port of Entry about 120 miles east of San Ysidro, and Homeland Security officials say the plan is to gradually roll it out to all other ports along the U.S.-Mexico border.
It allows migrants from countries other than Mexico to request asylum at U.S ports of entry, but then requires them to return to Mexico to wait for a decision. Previously, asylum seekers were released into the U.S. and given a notice to appear in immigration court to proceed with their case.
'Incredibly hard jobs': Nielsen resignation: Donald Trump's Cabinet agencies are increasingly led by 'acting' secretaries
More: 'It was long past time for her to go': Dems welcome Kirstjen Nielsen's departure as DHS secretary
The U.S. and Mexican governments had been negotiating a joint plan, where Mexico would assume responsibility of the waiting asylum applicants, but when those talks broke down, the Trump administration announced in December it would unilaterally implement the policy, forcing Mexico and collection of humanitarian groups to care for those migrants in Mexico.
Nielsen has argued that the policy is needed — and allowed under law — to stem the flood of Central American migrants who are taking advantage of immigration "loopholes" by requesting asylum knowing they will be allowed to stay in the country.
In the 2017 fiscal year, Border Patrol agents apprehended 6,301 members of family units a month. In 2018, that rose to 8,934 a month. In the first five months of 2019, it jumped to 27,230 a month.
The Trump administration says those numbers represent a security and humanitarian crisis that forced them to implement the new policy forcing all those asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico.
"The (Migrant Protection Protocols are) a lawful implementation of DHS's broad prosecutorial discretion over when and how to initiate removal proceedings…and whether to limit entry into the country during the pendency of those proceedings," Justice Department lawyers wrote in a court filing.
Advocacy groups say the plan puts already-traumatized refugees in yet another traumatizing situation by fending for themselves in northern Mexico, a region that can be incredibly dangerous for people with no family there, no connections, and no protection.
"Instead of being able to focus on preparing their cases, asylum seekers forced to return to Mexico will have to focus on trying to survive," read the lawsuit. "These pressures may deter even those with the strongest asylum claims to give up, rather than endure the wait under such conditions."
Several of the first asylum-seekers returned to Mexico filed a lawsuit in February, leading to Seeborg's decision.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge blocks Trump policy forcing asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-blocks-trump-policy-forcing-asylum-seekers-to-wait-in-mexico/ar-BBVJQRA?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=U453DHP
Yesterday at 7:52 am by Rocky
» utube 3/28/24 MM&C Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - SWIFT - Purchasing Power - Urban Renaissance - Releas
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandalawi: Iraq is witnessing competition between major companies...and the House of Representati
Yesterday at 7:49 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic stresses the importance of the role of programmers in developing the w
Yesterday at 7:46 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Industry and Minerals follows up on the technical and production performance of the
Yesterday at 7:45 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Finance is following up on the field the progress of the newly implemented ASYCUDA s
Yesterday at 7:44 am by Rocky
» Statistics: There are more than 15 million bank accounts in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:42 am by Rocky
» Representative: One paragraph hinders the passage of a general amnesty within the House of Represent
Yesterday at 7:37 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: “The draft federal budget law will be devoid of new job grades.”
Yesterday at 7:36 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary action to resolve the fate of “food security contracts” in 15 governorates
Yesterday at 7:35 am by Rocky
» 300 factories turned into "iron scrap" in Diyala
Yesterday at 7:34 am by Rocky
» A deputy expects the dollar exchange rate to reach 140 Iraqi dinars
Yesterday at 7:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Yasiri: The American administration is working hard to destroy the Iraqi economy
Yesterday at 7:31 am by Rocky
» Infographic: The highest annual salaries of leaders of Arab countries
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» Communications announces that the electronic signature project has reached advanced stages
Yesterday at 7:29 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Integrity presents a file related to Kuwaiti violations of Iraqi oil
Yesterday at 7:27 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary move to include amendments to Parliament’s internal regulations on the agenda (documen
Yesterday at 7:25 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi President urges the Minister of Finance to expedite the payment of salaries to the Kurdist
Yesterday at 7:23 am by Rocky
» Central Bank of Iraq sales exceeded $251 million at today’s auction
Yesterday at 7:21 am by Rocky
» The Foreign Minister questions the "Iraqi resistance" attacks against Israel: the other side did not
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Labor announces progress in the electronic payment system
Yesterday at 7:17 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry: For the first time, we controlled the smuggling of petroleum derivatives by 98 pe
Yesterday at 7:16 am by Rocky
» International companies offer offers to invest in the Dhi Qar marshes.. What distinguishes them?
Yesterday at 7:15 am by Rocky
» “Tough” comments on interest rates raise the dollar globally
Yesterday at 7:14 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the fifth largest oil supplier to South Korea in a month
Yesterday at 7:12 am by Rocky
» Recovering more than 100 billion as a result of more than 200,000 employees on social welfare
Yesterday at 7:11 am by Rocky
» The Sudanese consultant announces the completion of Baghdad Metro track designs
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses ending the problem of triple-shift schools
Yesterday at 7:07 am by Rocky
» Iraq begins building two new tankers to transport petroleum products
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Forming a council for “competition and preventing monopoly”
Yesterday at 7:04 am by Rocky
» Features of an Iraqi-Turkish agreement regarding the status of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
Yesterday at 7:02 am by Rocky
» {Al-Buzrajiya} between the hammer of fraud and the power of the owners
Yesterday at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Oil: The gas sector is witnessing great development
Yesterday at 6:59 am by Rocky
» An agreement with Britain in the field of securities
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Discussions between Baghdad and Ankara to open a new port
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Trade: About 11 million citizens updated their new card information
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» Electronic payment is sustainable growth
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Experts: Iraq qualifies to be an important tourist country
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Amending the Health Professions Law “robs” scientists of the central appointment 3 years after it wa
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Is the “blessings package” that Erbil paid to the citizens of Kurdistan related to the elections?
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Exceeded 5,000 projects.. Allocating 10 trillion dinars to support governorate reconstruction plans
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» “His need no longer exists.” Parliamentary Finance confirms the necessity of returning the retiremen
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» To communicate with the bases... 12 directives from Al-Sadr, including blocking numbers for non-gove
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» In an interview with "Baghdad Today"... an Iranian researcher reveals the importance of Haniyeh's vi
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» After it was 63 trillion in 2023... the 2024 budget deficit will rise to 80 trillion dinars
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Parliament reveals the date of the first evaluation of the governors and determines the party respon
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic informs Al-Araji and Al-Basri: Momentum must be mobilized to eliminate
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Can the Federal Court sue others? A legal clarification of its response mechanism to abuse
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Despite promises to soon stop burning gas.. What is the secret behind Iraq renewing the Iranian gas
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: The dollar is on the way to further decline, and 70% of Iraqi traders have ent
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Iraq exported more than 99 million barrels of oil last February
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Barzani “gives good news” to Kurdistan employees: salaries, land, and loan exemptions
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Alia Nassif: Nour Zuhair returned to the port of Umm Qasr to make deals.. An influential Shiite forc
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister announces the movement of nearly 500 stalled projects
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» A government strategy to enhance investments.. Iraq is on the verge of a new era of economic develop
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Ranging between 20% and 50%.. The Kurdistan government decides to reduce service fees, customs dutie
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The reform approach in the security services is an integral part of reform in other secto
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Everyone in Iraq wants the Sudanese visit to Washington to be successful, even the factions!
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Sources and experts expect the agenda.. in his bag is the Baghdad dollar and the factions’ truce, bu
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» The decision to raise gasoline prices arouses the ire of drivers...a reminder of the large demonstra
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary services: 3 important hospitals in Baghdad will enter service at the end of the year
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs a contract to supply Iranian gas for a period of five years
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Parliament adds a voting paragraph on amending the Penal Code to its agenda
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» His political advisor: We are not afraid of Sudanese entering the elections alone
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary services explain the reasons for the rise in real estate prices in Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Attia, criticizing the government's decisions: "The citizen's feathers will be ruffled without servi
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Communications: Zain Iraq and Asiacell did not pay their debts
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» The Governor of Karbala announces the imminent establishment of the largest industrial city in the c
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» A government determination to end the issue of displaced persons in the middle of this year
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Iraq buys gas from Kurdistan to generate electricity
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary signatures to include an amendment to the internal regulations to decide the choice of
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» In Basra.. a demonstration against foreign workers in Iraqi companies (video)
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Al-Samarrai: Presidency of Parliament is an entitlement to the constituents, and calling it a “frame
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Electronic food supplies in 6 governorates... covering 11 million Iraqis and “writing off” about 700
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Corruption of the Ministry of Transport.. Representatives express their surprise at the minister’s s
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» The biggest supporter of the invasion of Iraq.. The death of former US Senator Joe Lieberman
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Iraq is ranked “late.” A list of the most and least safe Arab countries for women
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers exempts the Gulf Interconnection Authority from guarantee fees: it is a gov
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:48 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government raises the size of the 2024 budget, and Parliament is “surprised”
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:46 am by Rocky
» Popular Movement: We have many economic options away from American hegemony
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:42 am by Rocky
» The Oil Parliament stresses the need to transfer part of the revenues to the producing governorates
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:41 am by Rocky
» It will cover 14 regions in eastern Iraq.. A deputy reveals the “border electricity” project
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:40 am by Rocky
» Experts Warn Mass Migration Threatens US Food Security
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:37 am by Bama Diva
» Al-Fateh: America occupies Iraq through agreements
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:37 am by Rocky
» Anger in Iraq over a "sudden decision"... and a reminder of a "general strike" that paralyzed the co
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:34 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: Parliament is discussing today a decision that “disturbed” the Iraqis
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:33 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Electricity: Our production will reach 27 thousand megawatts by May
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:31 am by Rocky
» Diagnosing the “most important” problems in the oil file between Baghdad and Erbil.. What is the rel
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Fiqh Academy and the Sunni Endowment issue a fatwa to pay Zakat al-Fitr
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:28 am by Rocky
» The National Bank of Iraq continues its digital transformation by launching its new banking system a
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Investment and the Central Bank are discussing the housing initiative
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:25 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister announces the restart of 500 suspended projects
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:23 am by Rocky
» Al-Barti assesses the region's employees: Your salaries are insured and will be paid after resettlem
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:21 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American discussions in anticipation of the Sudanese visit
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Turkey hold meetings in Ankara to discuss technical issues related to the development road
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:17 am by Rocky
» A government parliamentary agreement to support budget revenues and governorate allocations for inve
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:16 am by Rocky
» Oil: The gas sector is witnessing great development
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:15 am by Rocky
» A Kurdish-French agreement to develop trade and economic relations
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:13 am by Rocky
» Exchange companies in Mosul demand that they be entered into the currency selling window
Wed 27 Mar 2024, 7:12 am by Rocky