In his first sit-down interview since taking over DHS, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf discussed the dangers of sanctuary cities, border wall construction and new plans to combat the gangs that control the flow of illegal migrants across the border. Wolf spoke to Fox News during a visit to the Texas-Mexico border.
In a series of tweets today, President Trump said he would "close the Southern Border entirely" if Democrats do not agree to fund the wall and to change the nation’s “ridiculous” asylum laws. The threats come on the seventh day of a partial government shutdown. At this point no votes are expected until Trump and Democratic leaders reach a funding deal.
Thanks to the feckless Republican leadership, President Trump is unlikely to get funding for his border “wall” or legislative solutions for the Southwest border crisis before the new Congress. Democrats are now firmly against even a bad deal like a DACA amnesty/wall funding trade. He will either have to veto the next continuing resolution, hoping the Democrats will change their mind, or rethink how he can win against a Democrat-controlled House and filibuster-limited Senate. Since a pre-Christmas shutdown is likely to produce only animosity, President Trump should think about re-branding his "wall" to increase public support for a broader solution next year.
San Francisco District Judge Jon Tigar temporarily blocked President Trump’s new rule which prevents illegal border crossers from requesting asylum. The judge ruled that federal law allows any foreign national who reaches U.S. soil to request asylum. The ruling is a setback for the Administration’s attempt to cope with the Central American caravan now arriving at the southwest border.
President Trump today issued a presidential proclamation that requires migrants over the next 90 days to "lawfully present themselves" at a port of entry in order to apply for asylum. During that period, those crossing the border illegally will not be allowed to apply for asylum. He said he is taking immediate action “to protect the national interest, and to maintain the effectiveness of the asylum system.”
Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, President Donald Trump touted the “right of every nation… to set its own immigration policy in accordance with its national interests.” He addressed instances of “uncontrolled migration” and confirmed the United States will not participate in the new Global Compact on Migration, saying “Migration should not be governed by an international body unaccountable to our own citizens.”
Ruling in two cases before him, Attorney General Jeff Sessions determined that immigration court judges may not end removal proceedings unless DHS has failed to prove its case for deportation or regulations expressly authorize it. His ruling notes that “immigration judges have no inherent authority to terminate or dismiss removal proceedings,” and that “authority to dismiss or terminate proceedings is not a free-floating power an immigration judge may invoke whenever he or she believes that a case no longer merits space on the docket.”
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.) introduced a resolution in Congress calling for the designation of Cesar Chavez's birthday, March 31, as National Border Control Day. The late civil rights icon and founder of the United Farm Workers union was a strong opponent of illegal immigration and supporter of increasing border controls.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Tex., unveiled a plan to overhaul homeland security that includes: “extreme vetting” of foreign travelers; revamping the visa application process; immediate suspension of all immigration, including refugees, from high-risk areas; building a wall and increasing border assets; ending catch-and-release policies; reforming asylum standards; deporting criminal aliens; ending sanctuary cities; implementing a full entry-exit system; re-examining guest-worker programs; and mandating E-Verify.
The Center for Immigration Studies’ Jessica Vaughn today revealed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) diverted $167 million from numerous programs to pay for the housing and care of those designated as unaccompanied alien children. With the latest border surge, HHS’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is caring for a record number of illegal-alien minors. The shifted funds will cover just one month’s expenses, and the agency may need an additional $1-2 billion in fiscal year 2017.