An estimated
380 Central American migrants seeking asylum in the United States are nearing
the U.S. border in Tijuana, Mexico, and plan to cross into California (AP) as early
as Sunday. The group comprises mostly women and children.
Homeland
Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen warned migrants in the activist-organized
caravan that they will be liable to prosecution (Hill)
if they enter the country illegally or make false immigration claims. Nielsen
also said they should first seek asylum in Mexico. Caravan members have said
they are fleeing drug violence and political persecution
(Reuters)
in their home countries.
ANALYSIS
"It's legal for immigrants to turn themselves in to authorities and ask for asylum. But
in recent days, U.S. officials have issued a number of statements warning
the approaching caravan, suggesting that even though authorities will
evaluate any asylum claims once the caravan arrives, they're eyeing
migrants in this group with suspicion," Leyla Santiago, Khushbu Shah,
and Catherine E. Shoichet write for CNN.
"It is difficult for Central Americans to receive asylum in the
U.S. based solely on generalized violence in their countries, although
sometimes U.S. courts have interpreted gang violence as a form of social
persecution directed at children, teenagers, or women," Elizabeth
Oglesby writes for the Hill.
"Militarizing the border now sounds suspiciously like a
ploy to energize Trump's base before the midterm elections rather than a sound response to an actual problem,"
Elaine Kamarck writes for the Brookings Institution.
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