The Message Behind Red State Governors’ Migrant Transports

The governors of Texas, Arizona, and Florida have been transporting asylum seekers from the border to “sanctuary” jurisdictions, such as Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, and Martha’s Vineyard. Many of these migrants have suffered persecution in their home countries and have undergone difficult and dangerous journeys to reach the United States. The governors have enticed them to travel from the border to other parts of the country by falsely promising them jobs, work permits, and other benefits. In most cases, the receiving localities have not been forewarned about the new arrivals, and so have had difficulty coordinating a humanitarian response.

Immigration advocates have referred to these transfers as a “cynical political game,” a “publicity stunt” and a “political ploy.” Others have called it an effort to “own the libs.” While I agree that lying to vulnerable people and manipulating them is cruel and immoral, I think we on the Left are not being honest or wise when we dismiss the migrant transports as mere political theater. The issues underlying the governors’ efforts are serious and we ignore those issues at our peril.

In retaliation for migrant transports, the entire UCLA Political Science Department will be shipped to Texas.

The basic problem is the border, where record numbers of migrants have been arriving this year. GOP candidates–including those from interior states–are touting their border-security bona fides in political ads, and even some Democrats are raising objections to the Biden Administration’s handling of the Southern border. The perception of uncontrolled migration was a key voter-recruiting tool for the Trump campaign in 2016, and it looks to be even more effective in the up-coming mid-term elections.

What we need–and have needed for years–is a rational and honest conversation about the border: Who do we want to let in (or, in more technical terms, how do we want to define “particular social group”)? How many migrants are too many? How do we balance our humanitarian obligations with national security? Sadly, such a debate is probably impossible in the current political climate.

Instead, Republicans have capitalized on the influx of migrants to bring voters to the polls. In a sense, it is hard to blame them. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that–

about three-quarters of Americans (73%) say increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce illegal crossings should be a very (44%) or somewhat (29%) important goal of U.S. immigration policy. Nearly all Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (91%) say border security should be an important goal, while a smaller majority of Democrats and Democratic leaners (59%) say the same, according to the survey of 7,647 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 1 to 14.

With numbers like these, it’s easy to see why Republican candidates want to focus on the border. Shipping migrants from border areas to supposed liberal jurisdictions is a logical extension of this focus, and there appears to be little political downside. The governors involved in this effort can present themselves as tough on immigration and as standing up to “open borders” Democrats (never mind that Democratic administrations have deported migrants on the same scale as Republican administrations). And they are seen as taking concrete action to distribute the “burden” of asylum seekers arriving at the border (again, never mind that Democrat-leaning states already have higher proportions of immigrants than Republican-leaning states or that immigrants tend to contribute more to the economy than they take). While some Republican voters will find the governors’ actions reprehensible, given the strong support within the party for more restrictive borders, they are unlikely to suffer any serious consequences.

And what about us on the Left? Although it is obscured by cruelty, there is an underlying message in this madness and I think we need to pay attention: A significant majority of Americans want a more restrictive asylum policy at the Southern border and many of them will be voting based on their view.

Given this reality, it seems to me that we have a few options: (1) We need to more effectively communicate why a generous asylum policy is a good idea and convince more Americans on this point; (2) We can keep doing what we are doing–advocating for a more fair, more generous, and more well-funded asylum system at the Southern border; or (3) We need to change our goals.

I suppose I am not entirely convinced that Option #1 is futile. Indeed, one purpose of this blog is to engage with people who have different perspectives on immigration. But realistically, I do not envision significant numbers of Americans changing their mind about the border based on more convincing arguments, and so I think this option is out.

The advantage of Option #2 is that we are not required to compromise our principles. Otherwise, I don’t see much to recommend it. Advocates have been pushing for improvements at the border for years, and things only seem to get worse. When President Biden came in, there was some expectation that the situation would get better. Instead, more and more people are arriving and entering a system that is already stretched beyond capacity. And so for me, Option #2 is also out.

As you might have surmised, I prefer Option #3, which I view as the only realistic choice. Like most people, I don’t love the idea of compromise, but compromising with others is how democracy works. Given the never-ending quest for immigration reform, my feeling is that it is better to get something rather than nothing. If we agree to increase restrictions at the border in exchange for legalizing people who are already here, that will at least help many noncitizens. Further, it may help undermine Republican candidates, many of whom are actively trying to subvert our democracy. Perhaps by peeling away voters whose main concern is the border, we can prevent such candidates from being elected.

We are at a difficult moment in our nation’s history. Democracy is on the line. As I see it, compromising with moderate Republicans on immigration would help some immigrants, and would also help fortify our democratic system. I hope immigrant advocates will reconsider their goals, and recognize that it is better to achieve some modest successes than nothing at all. 

Related Post

62 comments

  1. Hey Jason ,

    Thanks for everything you do. It’s Benin almost 2 months I’m stuck abroad due to the fact that my refugee travel document got lost/stolen. The us embassy said they cannot help me because I’m just an Asylee and not a LPR ( green card holder ) yet. They said there’s no law that points them to assist someone in my situation. I contacted USCIS and they said they cannot help either and I should contact the us embassy. However, I went ahead and filed an application for a new refugee travel document and it’s been one month and a half that I’m waiting for a receipt number. My congressman said he cannot assist me if I do not have a receipt. I got confirmation from usps through my tracking number that my file has been delivered and signed for. I was able to talk to a tier 2 officer at USCIS and he said he cannot find my application. I’m literally going through a hard time right now as I’m sleeping outside and don’t have money to support myself anymore. What can I do? I’m so frustrated and desperate for help.

    Reply
    • It is a terrible situation. I am not sure what can be done. Receipts are coming slowly, but usually not this slowly. Once USCIS accepts the case and issues a receipt, you can call them to try to expedite. Maybe your Congressman can help with this as well. I am not sure how long to wait before you can conclude that your RTD application is lost. I might wait a few more weeks. But if not, maybe you want to file a new RTD application with an explanation that the first application vanished. Once the case is processed, there is a good chance that you will not need to be fingerprinted (USCIS is re-using fingerprints in most cases) and that they will just issue the RTD. Also, I am surprised that the embassy is so useless. There job is to help Americans abroad, and while you are not an American, our country has decided to protect you, and so you would think the embassy could assist. Maybe your Congressman can reach out to the embassy? Or maybe you know some US citizens who are willing to reach out to the embassy to pressure them to help. I wish you good luck and please keep us posted. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  2. Dear Jason,

    My EAD card is about to get expired and I already requested to renew my VA Driver License but they still didn’t verify my docs with USCIS to do my renewal.
    If my EAD card get expired, will the DMV accept my extension receipt to renew my driver license renewal?

    Reply
    • As long as you filed to renew the EAD before it expires, you get an automatic 540 days extension of the old card. The DMV should accept the receipt and extend your license. If not, try to talk to a supervisor, as most people seem able to extend the license based on the receipt and you should too. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  3. Hi Jason
    I am eligible to file I485 next month. I am not clear if I can submit I-693 later after I receive the RFE or do I have to submit it together with the I485? Due to long delays, not sure, if submitting I-693 and it expiring before adjudication makes sense.

    Can you please suggest?

    Reply
    • You can do either way, but make sure you submit the I-485 and I-693 soon after completing the medical exam; otherwise, it can expire while you are waiting for the case. I forgot the time frames, but you can check in the I-693 instructions, available at http://www.uscis.gov. For my cases, I just send the medical exam later when USCIS asks for it, as I do not want to deal with the possibility of the exam expiring. take care, Jason

      Reply
  4. Most of the comments I read (admittedly, I did not read all of them) dealt with individual situations rather than the overriding policy issues you raise. As you might guess from reading Courtside, I believe we can administer legal, generous asylum & refugee laws for the benefit of the US. I’m also not convinced that abandoning asylum seekers as a tradeoff for legalization of those already here is the right solution.

    It’s actually what folks like Miller have been pushing for for years. Even he would have offered a limited legalization for dreamers for the end of asylum, family based, and most legal immigration other than a very few perceived, correctly or incorrectly, to potentially benefit “fat cat” GOP donors: mostly “essential” temp workers (who could be exploited) and a very few “high level merit (misnomer) based” Execs and business folks from “non shithole” countries who might eventually be expected to skew GOP once eligible to vote.

    Folks are going to continue to come to our Southern Border for economic and geopolitical reasons largely beyond the ability of any one nation to unilaterally control. We would be wise to recognize the reality, admit as many as we can in an orderly fashion, and harness the many benefits of migration. After all, it’s what built America, even if many Americans have forgotten their roots.

    DPF and best,

    PWS😎

    Reply
    • Dear respected Judge We need more people like you in the system. Thank you for your service

      Reply
    • I guess my opinion is based on my pessimistic view of where the country is headed and my hope that somehow satisfying the “closed borders” crowd will peel away voters from anti-democratic Republicans. Maybe this is a fool’s idea, but I think it is worth a try. I also think the utter failure to pass CIR over all these years and decades is a sign we are over-reaching, and we need to try something more modest. Unfortunately, it seems we will be getting the worst of both worlds – no help for people who are already here and further restrictions and lack of due process at the border (and in the interior). Anyway, we will keep going. I hope all is well, Jason

      Reply
    • Excellent points, Judge!

      Reply
  5. Hi Jason,

    I received an EAD with a typographical error. They used my middle name as my last name. I sent the card back they returned it saying they mistake wasn’t from them. Can I make the change when I will renew the ead? It’s not going to be a problem when I’ll want to renew it?

    Reply
    • Assuming this error does not create problems for you with employers or the DMV, I guess you can try to correct it when you renew the card. Just be careful, as different forms ask for your name in different ways, and it is easy to mix up where the first, middle, and last names go on the forms. If you do change it on the new EAD, you should probably include an explanation and evidence of the correct order of your names. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  6. Hi,
    I have a pending decision asylum case, I am the principal. Can I remove a dependent who is 18 years old now from my case? If , yes, how?

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • I am not sure how, but I imagine as the principal, that is your option. If you do, it will potentially leave the person with no status (unless they already have some status) and they will lose any asylum-pending EAD. You can email the asylum office to ask how to do that. You can find their email if you follow the link under Resources called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  7. Hello Jason,
    My asylum based I-485 application was pending at NBC. I have recently received RFE requesting I-693. I can see that the RFE is from a field office so far away from my state. Is that a positive sign? Should they request for interview or they, hopefully, approve the case sometime? Thank you.

    Reply
    • I do not know if that has any meaning, but not every asylee is interviewed for a GC, so maybe you will not be interviewed. Most (but not all) people who respond to the medical exam RFE get their GC within a month or two, so hopefully that will be you too. Take care, Jason

      Reply
    • Hi Rupak, congratulations on receiving the RFE for medicals. This is usually a good sign as it shows that your case is being processed. From my personal experience, and from experience working with other asylees, the field office where the RFE is sent from has no real significance (the field office only has importance if you are required to do an interview). For instance, I know someone who lives in NYC and received an RFE from a USCIS field office in Florida. He did the medicals, the medical was submitted, and in days the status changed to approved/card being produced. The time it takes for the status to update to “approved” may vary depending on the office.

      Reply
  8. Hello Jason.

    Can I apply and qualify for the DV Lottery while living in the USA? I have a pending asylum case since 2018 that is based on politics. I have never been interviewed. I just have a work permit. And I qualify, can I adjust status from the USA or I will need to return back home?

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. Hi Jason,

    Thank you for everything!

    My cousin asks this question:

    Do they currently approve AP to see a family member for pending affirmative asylum?
    Is it ok to renew the passport in order to exit?
    And if all is successful somehow, can that reentry on AP on pending asylum (not TPS, this one we know that indeed it can) be used as a status to do AOS EB?

    He has not timely filed application.

    Reply
    • You can apply for AP if you have a pending asylum case. It is not always approved, but you can try – I wrote about that on September 11, 2017. Renewing the passport for a person with pending asylum can be an issue for the case – the Asylum Office may ask why your country was willing to renew the passport and why you got a passport. Of course, this is less of a problem for people who fear terrorists or other non-state actors. I wrote more about using your passport on May 25, 2022. In terms of adjusting status based on EB, your cousin should talk to a lawyer about the specifics. I wrote a bit about that on August 28, 2018 and September 6, 2018 and maybe those posts would help. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  10. Hi Jason

    My sister has recently crossed Mexico-US border as an asylee, got her i-94 (class of admission: DT) and i-862 forms, awaiting master court hearing on political asylum. I am an approved asylee scheduled to receive a green card next year, then receive US citizenship after 5 years or so. My question is: can my sister adjust her status to family reunification once I receive US citizenship? (provided that she maintains her current status and is not deported).
    Another question: Can she adjust her status to EB3?

    Reply
    • It will take far too long – even once you become a citizen, the wait time for filing for a sibling is 14+ years (you can check this by Googling “DOS visa bulletin”). Also, she would probably not be eligible to get the GC in the US since she arrived without a visa. For EB-3, I doubt she could qualify since she arrived without a visa. For people in that situation, the only option is usually asylum. There are rare exceptions (if she is a victim of a crime or if she is an unaccompanied minor, for example), and so she can take to a lawyer to explore her option, but I do not see how sponsorship by you is practical, and I think it is very unlikely that EB-3 would work. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you, Jason. Does being on that 14+ year waitlist protect her from deportation?

        Reply
        • No – it has no effect. The pending I-130 is only to get USCIS to approve that the person is your sibling. After the 14 year wait (or maybe longer), she could then apply for a GC (but generally, if she was out of status by that time, she would not be eligible for a GC – talk to a lawyer to know for certain). Take care, Jason

          Reply
  11. Hi @Jason & @Hope

    Here is an older article you wrote. Since he overstayed his visa for more than 365 days, won’t the 10 years ban apply even though he will have AP?

    https://www.asylumist.com/2017/09/11/advance-parole-overseas-travel-for-asylum-seekers/

    Reply
    • Thank you for looking into this. This article states that since 2012, a person with unlawful presence can leave and return to the US with AP (prior to a BIA case in 2012, this was a problem). As far as I know, that is still the rule today. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  12. Hey Jason,

    I had won my case at the immigration court about a year ago and wanted to ask you about my work permit. I know I don’t have to renew it, but I want to do it.

    It expires on 8/27/2023. When should I apply to renew it, and do I need to pay the fee for it (or not this time since I am considered an asylee now)?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • You can file renew up to 180 days before it expires. You have to pay the fee or do a fee waiver, form I-912, available at http://www.uscis.gov. You may want to apply for your GC if you are eligible, as that will be valid for 10 years and you will not have to worry about the work permit any more (plus, it puts you on the path to US citizenship). Take care, Jason

      Reply
  13. Jason,

    My friend won his case at the immigration court, based on the fear of returning to his country due to his sexual orientation, and had the green card interview a few days ago.

    While he was at the interview, the USCIS sent immigration officers to his house, his neighbors, friends, and his job so they could confirm with them whether he is really a homosexual. His roommate is a lady who has kids, and he believes that USCIS thinks that he is in a relationship with this lady.

    He was interviewed for almost 2 hours (only about living with a lady and her kids), and he said that the immigration officer was very suspicious. His roommate, neighbor, and his job were very scared and didn’t want to talk much with immigration officers, but some of them said that he is not in a relationship with the lady and that she is just his roommate.

    What are their (USCIS) options in terms of the decision for the green card application? Can USCIS deny his green card application (I believe they can), but not sure what the next steps are for them and how big of evidence they need to have to do it..can they just send him back home after 15 years in this country or does USCIS have some other options too? Does the fact that he got approved by the court two years ago matter at all at this point?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • They could deny the GC and/or try to terminate his status and deport him. I think it would be difficult for them to take such radical action, and a first step would be to give him a Notice of Intent to Deny stating the reasons that USCIS wants to deny his case. He will have some time to respond to that (and he should get a lawyer to help him if he can) and he should be able to submit evidence, including affidavits, to demonstrate that his asylum case was true. Hopefully, USCIS was convinced by his interview, but he may want to start thinking about what evidence and witnesses he can get in case he needs to provide that. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you, Jason.

        If USCIS decides to deny the GC and tries to deport him – does that whole process need to be done through the court again (meaning does USCIS needs to file the motion to reopen the case and then he goes on a trial), or they can just do all of that without the court?

        Thank you.

        Reply
        • They would need to go to court. I doubt they would file a motion to reopen; I think they would file a new Notice to Appear alleging the new allegations (fraud?). I think this is very unlikely, but you should try to respond as strongly as you can to any notice of intent to deny the current USCIS case. Take care, Jason

          Reply
  14. Hi Jason. First, thanks for all that you do for us! Second, I need some advice.
    I am a green card holder based on asylum. My mom and sister had a B1/B2 visa valid for 10 years that just expired. They used their visa to visit me in the US twice. Now they want to renew their visa. They got their visa and visited me here before I applied for asylum (I was here legally on a work visa) so this will be the first time that they will renew the visa after I applied (and was granted) asylum. Both my mom and sister have good jobs and ties to their home country and have no plans to stay here at all. They only want to come here to visit me for a few days and then return to their country! My asylum case is related to LGBT issues so clearly my mom and my sister (who are straight!) cannot use it on their behalf even if they wanted. Because they are renewing the visa (not applying for the first time), they are eligible to request the renewal by mail without the need to go to the consulate for an interview but the consulate reserves the right to request an interview if they want.
    Should I send a letter of support to the consulate? I have a very good job here and make good money and they also have good jobs in their home country. They may not even need to go for an in person interview though so not sure how they would deliver the letter. Thanks

    Reply
    • I was in a similar situation over a year ago. My sibling in my COP had applied to renew his visa while my green card application was still pending. I thought this would have triggered the consulate to bring up my file for asylum. My sibling had to do an in-person interview because they had not traveled on their last US Visa in over a decade. He got it renewed without issue this year because the interviews were taking up to a year. But no questions were asked. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the outcome would have been if I was still in asylee status instead of being a permanent resident.

      But in conclusion, I don’t think a letter of support is necessary.

      Reply
      • I just learned that my asylum seeker’s spouse was issued a B visa. That is surprising, but I guess we will take our good news when we can get it. Take care, Jason

        Reply
    • I do not do much with B visa applications, and so you might want to talk to a lawyer who does those. In general, though, your asylum application would probably have little effect on their application, since they cannot join your application (if the spouse or minor child of an asylum seeker applies for a visa, those tend to be denied, since these people could come to the US and benefit from the asylum case). Also, since your family has a history of following the rules, that should help them. Whether a letter from you helps or hurts, I do not know. My instinct is to just let them apply without the letter and see what happens (in other words, do not call attention to yourself in the US), but again, I do not do visitor visas, and maybe a lawyer who does would have a different opinion. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  15. Hello Jason. My room mate rejected Asylum by uscis. Now his Case is in Immigration Court and Master Hearing is next year. He joined a Business job and owner filed now Labour certification/ i489 some months ago.How many chances for him to get GC by applying Business Owner?

    Reply
    • I do not do employment-based immigration, but I think it is doubtful that this can work once a person is in court. At a minimum, he needs to have the attorney map out in writing exactly how he will get from where he is now, to having a GC, including whether he will have to leave the US to do it, and how that will work. I can imagine scenarios where this plan might work (if he has TPS and can leave the US and return), but in general, I think this is a difficult path. I wrote more about it on August 28, 2018 and September 6, 2018. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  16. Hello Jason. I was reading about cancellation of removal proceedings. Can you tell me more about it? If i have been waiting for my asylum interview for more than 5 years, can i request cancellation of removal ?

    Reply
    • You have to be in Immigration Court to request Cancellation. Also, you need 10 years physical presence in the US before the case gets referred to court. In addition, you must have a GC or US-citizen child, parent or spouse who will suffer extreme hardship if you are deported. There are other requirements as well. If your case is not approved and referred to court, and you think you may qualify for Cancellation, talk to a lawyer about that to be sure. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  17. I had an asylum case and my case with USCIS was moved to Immigration Court as I was not sucessful in immigration office. I have been in Immigration Court since 2018. I got married to a US citizen while on removal proceeding and filed I130 and later filed for AOS which was approved by the Judge. My I-485 took about about 20 Months after the approval of I-130 by USCIS, to get a final hearing before the judge.
    1. I now need to contact USCIS for them to give me the green card. How long usually does it take for an infopass appointment?
    2. How long until one gets the final physical green card?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • 1 – You should Google “post order instructions in immigration court” and follow those. It is not easy to get an appointment, but if you keep calling, eventually, you will. Usually, that happens in a month or two. 2 – After the appointment, I do not know how long it takes to get the GC itself, but most people get EADs quickly, so hopefully, the GC is the same. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  18. Hello Jason,
    I recently grant asylum in Arlington asylum office. When I check online my case for EAD it said Case Was Updated To Show Fingerprints Were Taken. How long it take to get the EAD?
    Thank you

    Reply
  19. Hello Jason. My a friend is Asylum pending. He got 2 interviews too. Nowhe is waiting for his Asylum Decision. He is doing some job. My question is that: Can he change his status? Means immigration by job, investment or other means?

    Reply
    • Maybe, but it depends on many factors. I wrote something about this on August 28, 2018 and September 6, 2018. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  20. Hi Jason,
    My asylum application was granted by the immigration judge. I completed my i-94 process in a month. When should I start to count the date for the GC application? From my asylum grant date or the i-94 process date?

    Reply
    • You can count from the date asylum was granted. If you leave the US, you need to wait extra time – so for example, if you leave for 1 week, you have to wait 1 year and 1 week before you file for the GC. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  21. I’m an asylee waiting for my GC but hopefully a Republican president wins in 2024 and also the next congress i hope it’s all gonna be republicans so we can close the boarders and deport all of these asylum sekeers coming from south america! They came here for economical issues not fear at least most of them! They need to go back and the asylum system has to be more purified cause when i saw the buses i got shocked that happens in america! It can’t go this way!

    Reply
    • I think this is a common sentiment among Americans. However, I think it is not correct that they are mostly coming here for economical reasons. That may be one reason, but many of them are fleeing real danger, and anyone who has spent time with this population knows that. My issue is that the feared harm is not clearly based on a protected ground, and I think we need to have a national debate about who we want to let in. My instinct is to offer more generous protection, but based on polling, I am in the minority and so I think we need to re-think our approach here. Republicans seem hell bent on destroying democracy, and I think compromising on the border and defusing this issue could help elect more Democrats, who, for all their flaws, are not trying to destroy our democracy. Take care, Jason

      Reply
    • Asylee :
      You mentioned asylum grant in Republican is more” purified ” than democratic right? And when you say you are an asylee and have applied I-485 waiting is in progress, then I am sure, You became asylee and I 485 Applicant in Democratic period , with that being said the asylum grant is not fair enough in the present govt. Would you please give up your asylee status and withdraw I-485 and wait for Republicans to come in govt and then apply?

      Reply
    • “Asylee”, if you are truly an asylee and not a troll, you should be VERY careful what you’re wishing for. It’s only 2+ years ago when Republicans, during the Trump administration, were trying to dismantle the entire immigration system, including the asylum system. They intentionally created chaos and confusion so they could use these things as pretext for demolishing the entire immigration system and its legal foundation. Some of the things that they did flew in the face of immigration and asylum laws. In fact, their actions were so morally repugnant and alarming- especially those injustices meted out to asylum seekers- Hitler would be very impressed. For instance, asylum seekers- and we are talking about asylum seekers who, on the face of it, were eligible for asylum- were separated from their babies/children, imprisoned in cages, sexually abused, not properly fed, made to wait for a year after their asylum application was successfully submitted before they are eligible to apply for an EAD (the pendency of the EAD application is not even factored in yet), charged a fee to submit an asylum application, asylum applications thrown in black holes and made to gather dusts and cobwebs, forced to move through the courts (en masse) like they are on conveyor belts, deported without any kind of due process, etc. The assault, especially on the most vulnerable, was unrelenting.

      Further, having asylum status (or even citizenship status by virtue of naturalization) was not a safe. For instance, during the Trump presidency, a denaturalization section was created back in February 2020 with the intention of stripping thousands of Americans of their citizenship status! In addition, N-400 and I-485 applications saw marked increase in denials. Many of the denials, to say the least, were questionable.

      I continue to maintain that, until the asylum laws are revised or completely changed, anyone should be able to apply for asylum, irrespective of how they arrive at the border or in the US. Suggesting otherwise is being complicit with violating US and international asylum laws. I also continue to believe that- especially with the effects of climate change drastically changing the lives of people who are mostly impacted by climate change and those whose contribution to climate change, if any, is negligible- there is no correlation between the party in power and people trying to find refuge or people trying to cross the border. To put it differently, human beings, by nature, will do anything to survive if we feel like our lives and livelihoods are threatened, and a Republican trifecta, or a physical wall at the Mexico-United States border that is 20,000 feet high, won’t /can’t deter people from fleeing harm or danger. All arguments against the aforementioned are smoke screens, fear-mongering, or xenophobia.

      Reply
      • If your case is strong enough with evidence you won’t scare anyone! And I’m like that! I’m mot scared anyone cause i do everything legal! I don’t have fake documents or story or etc etc trump wanted to punish the people who got asylum then went back the their countries with greencards and i agree with him anyone goes back to PC after asylum approval or GC means something is not right for sure! Anyway trump or not trump for sure there is a Republican president coming and that’s better for the country

        Reply
        • “Asylee”, your entire response is flawed. How you don’t see that is mindboggling! In any event, I hope you manage to eventually naturalize, and keep the status, if and when Republicans gain control again.

          Reply
          • @jamie
            Are you fine?? man???? What do you talking about? We never seen republicans denaturalize any asylee of US citizenship or prevent them from having it unless you have big criminal history or as they wanted to cancel asylees greencards if they go back to their countries after getting the GC and i approve that and hopefully it happens but otherwise all asylees are safe ! What do you talking about mannnn!

        • President Trump claimed that all asylum seekers were fake and took measures to harm all asylum seekers. I did a post about one such “legitimate” asylum seeker who wanted to Build the Wall! It was on May 30, 2019 if you are interested. Take care, Jason

          Reply
        • I think you are a troll. Because no person who has been through the process of asylum would harbor such thoughts. That sounds like entitlement, you got through, so no one else should. I won asylum during the Trump era, something that was shocking to some. I remember when I just came here and went out on a date, he said to me, you chose the worse time to come here. But I kept my faith and persisted and won asylum.

          Also going back to your COP after winning asylum or with a GC is very nuanced. I had to go back to say goodbye to my mother who had died. Even when I later realized, I could have gone back all along when she was alive. Don’t trivialize a person’s experience when it comes to asylum.

          Reply
          • @enronn
            I’m jot trolling anyone but yeah iam a political asylee that had all the evidence to get my approval in 30 mins interview do i know asylees shouldn’t go back to their CP but in your case is different as you applied for asylum as a homosexual so different story I don’t wanna even talk about it hmm i meant asylee who got their asylum through government fear or specific groups fear like religious asylum! Good luck

  22. Hi Jason
    Our asylum application is pending since 2015. I am the derivative and I have never applied for an AP.
    My dad is sick and my family members have agreed to fly him to a third country to meet me.
    However before we applied for our asylum case, I had a prolonged unlawful presence stay of over 10 years ( I came in as F1 student).
    My question is, will they approve the AP if I apply and if they do, will they admit me back into the country on my way back?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • As far as I know, they should approve the AP and as long as that is valid, you should be able to re-enter the US. That said, I have not checked this issue recently and so you may want to talk to a lawyer just to be certain (or maybe the AP document itself addresses the unlawful presence issue). I am about 95% sure that you are fine, but it would be good to be 100% sure before you travel. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you Jason for the reply.
        Hhhmmm….95% is good. I will take the chance and apply ASAP.
        Do I need to specify travel dates and can this be expedited? And what’s the current processing times for asylum based APs?

        Reply
        • That number was more of a figure of speech, but I do not think unlawful presence blocks a person from returning of they have AP. I think the form requires that you list dates of travel, but once you have AP, you do not have to stick to those dates. I wrote about expediting in general on January 29, 2020 – maybe that would help. Take care, Jason

          Reply

Write a comment