What’s new on the US border? The President, that’s what. Last Friday, President Trump took his fight to front, arguing asylum seekers are now making up stories to enter America. As the Wall Street Journal reported, the President laid out an impassioned case that the US immigration process is “overwhelmed,” by loads of Central Americans on a made-up beeline for asylum. Frustrated, he said, “It’s a scam.” Is it a scam? Yes and no.
Yes, asylum seekers are being transported by air-conditioned busses north from Central American countries, getting through Mexico in record or near-record numbers, often not being intercepted or turned back in Mexico.
Yes, those numbers are staggering, getting worse. March 2019 saw an estimated 100,000 illegals seeking entry, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. Without a wall or cooperation, apprehensions spiked between December 2018 and February 2019. At the same time, Mexico’s deportation of Central Americans – especially Guatemalans, El Salvadorans and Hondurans – fell.
Specifically, Southwest border apprehensions jumped from below 50,000 to almost 70,000 between January and February 2019, then flew past 100,000 in March. At the same time Mexican deportations back to Guatemala, for example, fell from nearly 3,000 to 2,500, continuing downward. No wonder the president is frustrated – with Congress, Democrat crisis-deniers, Mexico and false asylum claims.
These numbers represent a stark contrast to just one year earlier, when US apprehensions were falling, Mexican deportations were rising. Thus, US apprehensions from December 2017 to February 2018 fell from a lower 30,000 to roughly 28,000, while Mexican deportations ran from higher 3,000 to more than 4,500 per month. So yes, numbers are up, cooperation down – both markedly.
This is surely why President Trump has become more vocal, demanding action from Mexico, threatening to close the border, mitigating his threat and putting a one-year timeline against it. He is sending clear signals: Help us now or pay later. If Mexico does not assist, auto tariffs will probably kick in, then rolling border closures. He is giving Mexico time to fix the problem. But does anyone doubt President Trump will act? If so, they shouldn’t.
Yes, there is more to the scam. Many entrants are coached, told to state that they have a credible claim for asylum, since that gets them into the US, where they can live and await adjudication. Once here, asylum seekers get a multi-year wait, assuming they return to court at all, which many do not. While here, after a six-month wait, they can work. Is this a scam? In many cases, yes. Most asylum claims – upwards of 80 percent – are denied on the merits. Many seekers never show up for the hearing.
What is a credible asylum claim? For starters, specific to the person, and has nothing to do with whether the country the asylum seeker comes from is poor, unhealthy, has too few jobs, is managed badly, corrupt, unsafe or unstable. None of those reasons give an individual a right to asylum. If they did, we would be awash in – the world.
Asylum is premised on a specific, credible, provable claim that returning to country of origin will produce persecution – more, the person has already suffered persecution and has a legitimate, objective fear of a recurrence on return, based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion or membership in a group.
Notably, coming from a bad place and wanting a better life – does not validate an asylum claim, or produce asylum. So, when people who have only that basis apply for asylum, liberally sprinkling their stories with enough to imply individual jeopardy, is that a scam? Yes, it is. It is a lie to win entry, suddenly opening economic opportunities from jobs to entitlements, all paid for by US citizens.
So, what part of all this is NOT a scam? The basic context. From the Venezuelan socialist meltdown to current high levels of public corruption, drug trafficking, gang warfare and economic demise in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, plus drugs, gangs, crime and economic challenges in Mexico – much of the Western hemisphere is troubled. That is not a scam – that is fact.
On one hand, none of this is America’s responsibility. We have pumped billions of dollars into many of these countries in a combination of foreign aid, investment, multilateral packages, from loans to education, human rights to anti-drug programs. And many of those programs have helped, on the commercial and government sides. But we have tried to stabilize, energize, educate and elevate.
On the other hand, endemic public poverty and government corruption, lack of stable political, economic and social institutions, enduring internal divisions and deprivations do call out for help from those of good conscience.
The goal now should be to set expectations, create conditions, encourage infrastructure, return to rule of law, public integrity and economic self-sufficiency in such a way and on a timeline that allows for long term self-sufficiency, and encourages these nomadic busses, caravans, and ill-informed wishful thinkers – desperate for more opportunity – to find the hope they are seeking in their own country.
To do all that will take time, mutual commitment, US and multilateral help, and in the end, that is the hope we should all share – that all may prosper as Americans do, after the hard work and centuries of commitment we have all made to this great nation. In the meantime, President Trump is right – the trip north is often a heartless “scam.”
Trump wants not only to save America. But to make it great again.
The left wants to destroy America. And they are more than happy for every vote (legal or otherwise) which will help them achieve their goal.
Busing illegals to border is Planned Operation day 1, The scam is the Dems who have NO intention of resolving issue.
The Dems want Martial Law on border. Feel for victims of abuse: Honest illegals who want work, kin, friends & those north of border area & USBP ICE personnel.
Keep all of them out blow up the buses
It’s more than time to get tough on the Southern border. Fortunately, we have a president who understands American sovereignty, the safety of American citizens. By pass the courts and Congress and declare martial law if necessary. These entities aren’t interested in the United States or proper governance according to the U. S. Constitution. Personal vendettas do not belong in the halls of government.
Those “folks” are nothing but liars. They just come here to drain the system and steal America’s wealth.
eVerify and ICE breaking down doors. ICE knows where they all hide.
It’s an invasion, pure and simple. Well…not so pure and not so simple. Funded by Central American countries and abetted by the likes of Soros (and no doubt funded) and leftists in Congress. It’s an invasion that needs stopped by whatever means possible. Time for games and rhetoric is over.
The whole border thing is a scam. Now what the President is doing is like a traffic signal camera where the citation is issued five years later. But for his comment about being the law & order candidate he has thus far been doing a great job. Regarding law & order he reminds me eerily of Obama. He will, in his daily doings, comply with the law but the rest of the nation – politicians, liberals and illegals can continue business as usual.
Every American should wake up——-President Trump is right about this INVASION of 3rd worlders coming here to be supported by US Taxpayers
AMEN! And of course if its allowed to continue the downward spiral for U.S. Social Security and entitlement programs could only get worse until they are sucked dry. U.S. tax payers cannot and were never intended to support illegal aliens! Children of illegal aliens could continue to overwhelm our schools, making class sizes so big that the quality of education is impacted even more than it already is, which is very significant. Illegal aliens could also continue to suck dry our entitlements programs, stealing from the U.S. tax payers it was intended for and who paid into it! We are already experiencing this – full retirement age has been pushed back and we are frequently warned that Social Security can go broke soon. If Washington would stop “borrowing” from it to fund the entitlement programs the illegal aliens are stealing from we would not have this problem.
If someone wants to go through the LEGAL immigration process I would welcome them with open arms, but its time for the illegal aliens to stop stealing from U.S. citizens and be deported. In fact, it might be a deterrent to make future legal residency impossible for people caught entering illegally.
We are supposed to allow them to break the law illegally entering the United States. Then we expect them to be law abiding citizens. Our forefathers entered abiding the law. I believe the Democrats are trying to buy more votes with unauthorized immigration & more welfare. I would like more of my more money to help my children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren. This socialist society, the government is trying to force on us is forced charity. It’s my money, let me help who I want to.
It may be time for the “Well Regulated Militia” to take over “THE SECURITY OF A FREE STATE!” AS IT WAS MEANT TO! There would be no shortage of “VOLUNTEERS!!!” I AM SURE THERE ARE PLENTY OF “CROCKETT, AND BOWIE’S AND HOUSTON’S OUT THERE STILL!
Have a fleet of buses waiting to haul them back where they came from IMMEDIATELY! Don’t let them step foot on American soil because if you do, they will become lost in the crowds. Think it sounds heartless? What about all the AMERICANS these people are taking away from…food, housing, healthcare!!! AMERICA & AMERICANS should ALWAYS come first…NOT these people who are breaking the law by ILLEGALLY crossing OUR border. Let that sink in…THEY ARE CRIMINALS! They KNOW it is ILLEGAL to cross over our border, yet they do it anyway…that is CRIMINAL INTENT. Send them back with no lay over!!! If this is done and KEEPS being done, maybe they might get the message.
The USA faces a crisis and the Democrats are focused on getting copies of Trump’s tax return. Democrats are enemy number one.
The Dems have no intention of helping to fix the problem…that is clear. This security and humanitarian crisis is a key component to their narrative. As long as we have laws on the books that enable and incentivize the illegals to come, what would you expect? The wall is important, but perhaps even more so is providing meaningful aid to the countries responsible for the crisis. But business as usual will not do it. I suspect the State Department is primarily responsible for distributing foreign aid to these countries. That in itself is a huge problem. Having served as a contractor working for State, I can attest to their incompetence/ineptitude. There are those in State that are decent folks wanting to do right. But they are also riddled with far too many careerists (i.e., self-serving bureaucrats). We MUST tie aid to hard results–no results, no aid. I suggest you read “The Dictator’s Handbook–Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics.” That may help explain what is really going on here.
What part of this is so hard to understand.Its transparent what they are doing.I think congress should be made to live by the border and experience what people down there do.Politics is all that seems to matter to them
The Dems want to do an investigation, let’s find out who is funding these all expense paid vacations to the USA and who is arranging for the Mexican government to turn a blind eye to the trafficking. When it is proven who it is, have a public execution.
Someone somewhere is (or are) making the arrangements. This is the smoke the Russian Collusion was all about. Dilution of our electoral process. Best bet is to declare Martial Law with NO election. MAGA
I have been watching these scammers for 57 years. They are good at it. The Leftists are using them to socialize this country. Take away US government aid, stop allowing birth rite born here by illegal aliens and find who is funding the caravans and prosecute them. Then the flow of illegal aliens will slow down if not stop.
The INVADERS “prosper” on taxpayer dollars. Pick em’ up and ship em’ back. They are here ILLEGALLY. What part of ILLEGALLY is everyone sketchy about?
Obstruction and judge shopping by the Chuck and Nancy mob promotes crime and chaos at our southern border. By their inaction and non-cooperation they provide an atmosphere of “hope” for the migrants, to make the trip, promoting crime of human trafficking, rape and sexual assault. A Princeton Policy Advisory survey estimated 80,000 incidents of sexual assault and rape just last year. President Trump is acting to prevent this abuse?
The only thing Democrats want is power over EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!! They will NEVER fix any problem in this country cuz the problems help them exploit the people for votes to keep themselves in power and to acquire more power! Too many are uneducated and undereducated! They have no experience with real tyranny and those illegal immigrants coming here are being told by leftist that they are entitled to whatever giveaways the government has!!! Democrats keep deceiving the masses that they are somehow the “friend” of the people when these same leftist are doing nothing more than building a prison of misery and poverty for this country all the while they live high on the hog stealing every resource this country has!!!! Don’t believe me…just keep going in the direction the Democrats want and everyone will one day be ensnared in their trap…where it will be too late!!!
These people at our Southern border should unite; go back to their home land; and fight the gangs, drug dealers, and corruption in their government. Are all these people cowards or as Trump stated is it all a scam?
Who is paying for the MANY air-conditioned coach busses? Is it Soros and his many allies? Lets stop with the pretense and put a FULL stop to the invasion. AND evict all free-loaders off our welfare system.
central and south American countries won’t stop them because those that get through and get jobs (paid under the table)
and send money they make back to their home countries and live off welfare here free
health care and all and costing their homecountries nothing, money in nothing out
It’s almost funny how the left cries and moans about how it’s our fault, all this Central American migration, because we don’t mind our own business, but they cry and moan even louder when the a President says, ok, we’ll keep our money and leave them alone to solve their own problems. If we are going to continue to funnel billions of our hard earned American dollars into these tin pot countries we ought to be able to direct its use. We have a right to see it’s used to help the people and not line the dictators’ pockets. If that’s interfering, too darn bad. We could sure use those billions of dollars to improve our own infrastructure and lives. I’m sick of being spat on by people who won’t get off their own butts and make their lives better in their own countries, then come here and run us down. Go Trump!
Was just watching a “news” show on the tube. There was a small barrage about children being separated from their families. I realize how difficult that can be for the parent(s) and children. BUT, how would these children survive if not for our government taking care of their basic needs while their parents are on the run or incarcerated in adult facilities. It is the parents who should be held responsible for their children’s plight – It was/is the criminal parent(s) bringing their children into this country ILLEGALLY that brought about this situation.
Webster Illegal definition is – not according to or authorized by law : unlawful, illicit. I may not be the sharpest tack in the box ,but I am sure this includes illegal entry into a country.
I don’t understand why the dems want all of those people to come here, but I am sure it is to try to hurt our President. They can go to the devil, we need border security.
Finally a President who has us first. Past time to stop all the foreign aid!
Finally a President putting us first…..PAST time to cut all the foreign aid!
Laws are going to have to be changed and no benefits given to the illegals they love it here they don’t have to work just set back and enjoy what our hard earned taxes are paying for them. they take our jobs and take our taxes for their enjoyment. They live in free housing, get food stamps for their food, get free education for their children and get free medical treatments. Don’t you wish you could get that all free? Our politicians do not care about us as they get all that free too.
My question is “WHO HAS THE GUTS TO STAND UP AGAINST CONGRESS”??? I ain’t asking any leader on the right, I’m asking anyone that’s votes! Team limits for them
or death for you and I ??
Yes, the President does have it right. Not only are the Democrats and the left taking sides with the flood of illegal immigrants, they have chosen at the same time to side with the drug traffickers, the human traffickers, and the criminal element who are all violating our border daily. Opposing border security makes those in opposition a part of the crime! As such, they have become accessories to the crimes and deserve arrest and prosecution for that. This has never been a political issue, it’s a criminal issue. The Democrats/Progressives/liberals are part of the problem, not the solution and are committing a crime in the process.
BTW, my next bumper sticker planned for next year will simply say: “If you hate America, vote for a Democrat”.
I’m backing Trump all the way, this has got to stop!
Praying for you everyday Mr President.
It’s amazing all the people in this country who think illegal immigration is ok, college students marching to let them in? Maybe we should take away student aid given by the government and use it for illegal immigrants and let’s see how they feel then!
I hate people who will never admit it when they are wrong. It may not have been a big emergency when Trump first issued his National Emergency declaration, but it certainly is now. They are either too dumb to admit it or they are lying because they care more about the political optics than the fate of our country. I vote for the latter.
If the Democrats continue and get the majority of the voters to buy into their “socialism policies” where do we go for asylum? What country is left for us to seek freedom from oppression by the government? We need more supporters to speak up to the media to get the word out that our freedoms are in great danger.
Grew up next to the border. Had one class with me and another girl one year in San Ysidro 3rd grade, 60s, the only ones in class who spoke English. The teacher put the other girl next to me so I could tell her what to do because she taught the entire year in Spanish – what little she taught. She really didn’t make an effort to teach much. A few worksheets I could have easily done at 3 years old and mostly just play and socialize – in Spanish, of course. I was lucky I was taught at home also. Kids from 20 families were bused there from Brown Field, an old Navy base on top of a hill outside of Chula Vista right next to the border. We had to go early on one bus and stay after school an hour on the playground before there was a bus available for us as we were not the top priority. When they had the monthly birthdays in the cafe with the piece of cake, the end of school for the summer birthdays – we weren’t invited. At least I wan’t, along with a couple other navy kids I knew from Brown Field. We did party the entire day and use the flag pole to do the Maypole dance for Cinco de Mayo. We also spent alot of time playing baseball. When my mother came to pick me up one day for a doctor appointment and listened outside for a long time waiting for some English which never happened, she tried to talk to the teacher about it outside. Of course the teacher said she was prejudice immediately until my mother told her what she thought of her teaching in Spanish and English. She was cheating those in class out of learning English and a better life for themselves. Your tax money at work, even then.
The recent and currently growing flood of people from South of Mexico is just the latest violations of our Southern border which has been going on for decades. Mexico was the main source for several years, but in lower numbers. Along with the Mexicans have come people from all over the world, allowed to travel through Mexico as long as they had no intention of stopping and staying in Mexico. Among those other illegal foreigners have been some people who are from countries very unfriendly to America and their numbers are also up in the current rush on the border.
The ultimate goal of using this massive invasion is the downfall of he United Sates of America as a Constitutional Republic and eliminating our Bill of Rights under a Socialist style government as a part of a global oligarchy. Every climate change scam, the issuance of drivers licenses to illegals (a legal form of ID) to ease voter fraud, not wanting country of citizenship included in the 2020 census, some states allowing illegals to vote in local and in-state elections (easing the possibility for voter fraud) and some other things like pushing for another amnesty are all part of the plan. Those in Washington fighting so hard to leave the border unsecure and advocating for illegal’s rights are in serious violation of their oath of office as well as being unfaithful to their country in the most serious way – if you know what I mean.
If President Trump is faithfully serious about our national security and sovereignty, he will do more than just say he will close the border, he will actually do it and leave it shut until the entire length can be secured by fence, wall, or high tech surveillance. It will take using massive military assets to completely secure the border, but that will cost less than the costs illegals are inflicting. Illegal immigration has cost the U.S. more than $71 BILLION so far this year. Does that say something about the Dems fighting so hard to stop funding $5.7 billion for a fence? If your provider carries One Nation News, they show a running total “clock” several times a day and also show it on their news website oann.com.
Make no mistake about it, this nation is in more danger than ever before in our history and the threat is as much from within our borders as it is from outside.
Close the border, eliminate sanctuary cities, counties , parishes, states and eliminate birthright citizationship to those born to illegals, stop all taxpayer funded handouts to non-citizens. Fine businesses who hire illegals. Stop the asymlum scam. This is a National Security problem and a National health problem. President Trump has my full support! ??MAGA
We need to make separate border crossings for truck to Mexico, other for trucks from Mexico, others for U.S. citizens only to and from Mexico, and others for non-citizens to Mexico, and still others for non-citizens from Mexico. All border crossing for pedestrians that are non-citizens needs to be across natural barriers and in desolate remote places preferable with bridges over river gorges in the middle of remote uninhabited desert areas. El Paso needs to be closed and the crossings for El Paso be moved 50 miles above and 50 miles below. Funnel all crossings to areas that are remote and easily defensible. All money transfers from the U.S. to Central American countries need to be taxed with a fee and limited to 10% of the average amount. Reduce the amount allowed by another 10% each month that illegals are caught for 9 months straight, then delay the last 10% for 1 week and after another month delay it for 2 weeks. Do everything in our power to eliminate the [profit for illegal border crossings and contraband. AND change fees to cover all the costs… just to non-citizens.
The Leftists are hypocrites of the worst kind. They squawk and scream about separating families, but never say a word about the human trafficking horrors that go on or the drug crisis!
The legal system has been used and abused till it has broken. It won’t be long and it will be
broken beyond repair. When this happens anarchy will prevail and civil war will be needed to
restore a legal system. Thanks for the 2nd. amendment. Take advantage while you can !!!!
They don’t care because they don’t have to live next to any of these illegals-where I live no one speaks English & they have little pride in the community.
Some facts to consider: An illegal alien is 10x more likely to commit homicide here than an American or a legal alien, 90% of border crossings occur where there is NOT a wall or physical barrier and, almost 90% of illegals do NOT show up for their court hearing (although 100% promised they would).
BUILD THE WALL AND DEPORT ALL ILLEGALS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
i have relatives that live on the southern border in az. and they say they have had no trouble in over 15 years, so where does this president come up with an emergency ? not only that a friend of my sisters lives in the same township as where trump visited last week and everyone at the rally boo’d and laughed at him . it made him so mad he was only there for about 12 minutes total, you don’t see the news reporting that do you. trump is a liar and can’t be trusted no matter what he says. its a crying shame the way this has turned out. but you folks are not checking out your stories and seem to be missleading the seniors in your organization. i was looking into it to see if i would be interested in joining, but after reading the bunch of lies first thing when i got on the site …this republican (for over 52 years) will not have anything to do with amac….thanks any way don
The democrats only care about votes so that they can push their liberal socialist agenda which will destroy AMERICA.We have to stop “the free rides”.There is a huge difference between want and need and there are a lot of”wanters that work the system”.
Mexico isn”t going to hepl the USA, millions of their citizens live and work here , work without a bank account and sent money to there family , while we subsidized there rent , give them food stamps , cells phone , free legal assistance and the list goes on.
Congress has been derelict in handling immigration as specified in Article I.8.4
Instead, millions of illegal immigrants have been given unwarranted privileges, rights and benefits, some of which exceed the privileges given to legal citizens.
We need to get back to honoring the Constitution of the United States and it’s words as our glorious standard for “We the People “
It was founded in the wisdom of God.
It is a heavenly banner for the whole world to see!
We are seeing the corrupt politicians trying to dismantle this important document that has guided our country for over 200 years and it is time to stand as one people to honor it ,our founding fathers and our great nation!
The reason the Democrats want the Illegal alien immigrants is to build their voting base, since they don’t have to wait for them to grow up. Because they’ve aborted their future voting base.