Since 2016, the Trump Administration has been implementing increasingly controversial policies to limit the rights and protections previously awarded to both naturalized and undocumented immigrants. On November 9, 2018, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation that prevents immigrants from illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border for the sake of asylum. Any individuals or families seeking asylum will be pushed to ports of entry and forced to wait there until border officials allow them to make a claim. According to the proclamation, this ban will last 90 days or until the United States develops an asylum deal with the Mexican government.
This isn’t the first time that President Trump has turned his nose up at desperate asylum seekers. During the midterm elections, the President infamously belittled Honduran migrants attempting to reach the U.S.-Mexico border, stating that it’s a “rampant abuse” of the immigration process.
This new proclamation was signed right on the heels of a regulation barring the entry of any foreigners deemed “detrimental to the interests of the United States.” So, while undocumented immigrants can still apply for humanitarian relief, they may not be able to petition for a green card.
Each law and regulation enacted by this administration is setting a dangerous precedent about what it means to be “American.” Understandably, many people—both citizens and hopeful immigrants—are anxious about what could happen to anyone who doesn’t meet our government’s increasingly narrow definition. After the new proclamation was signed, Democratic representatives Jerry Nadler and Zoe Lofgren released a joint statement, claiming, “No one is above the law, including the President. It’s is particularly ugly that today’s announcement seeks to impose illegal restrictions on migrants fleeing violence and abuse.”
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Contact Guerra Sáenz, PL if you have concerns about your immigration status or require legal assistance in an immigration matter. During your confidential consultation, our Coral Springs immigration attorneys can evaluate your case and develop a litigation strategy to defend your path to citizenship.
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