‘Remain in Mexico’ Is Just One US Response to Asylum-Seekers

The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to continue making asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for their U.S. court hearings. {snip}

The Trump administration has enacted at least five policies since the beginning of last year that officials contend are designed to address asylum claims that don’t have merit and to confront a sharp increase in border arrests to a 13-year high in May. Here is a look at the policies and what they do.

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FLY TO CENTRAL AMERICA TO SEEK ASYLUM THERE

The administration has flown more than 800 people to Guatemala since November, denying them a chance to claim asylum in the United States. Instead, they can apply for asylum in Guatemala. {snip}

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LIGHTNING-FAST ASYLUM HEARINGS

About 4,000 Mexicans and Central Americans have been deported after failing initial screenings for asylum that are administered with very little turnaround time. They get one day to prepare while in Customs and Border Protection custody, where lights are on around the clock. During that time, they get a maximum of 60 to 90 minutes to call attorneys and cannot leave call-back numbers.

Asylum-seekers who appeal failed screenings are connected by phone to an immigration judge who reaches a final decision within two days.

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QUICK DEPORTATION FLIGHTS TO CENTRAL AMERICA

The U.S. government can now more quickly deport immigrants back to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Under a new policy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials can electronically verify citizenship of people who have final removal orders, avoiding the exercise of obtaining paper travel documents from a consulate, which officials say can take one to two weeks. {snip}

About 17,000 people have been subject to the “Electronic Nationality Verification” policy, Morgan said in late February. Many are bused to a Border Patrol processing center in Tucson, Arizona, and flown home from there.

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FLIGHTS TO GUADALAJARA FOR MEXICAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS

In January, the administration said it would begin deporting about 250 Mexicans a week on flights to Guadalajara from Tucson, Arizona, more than 1,000 miles (1,640 kilometers) apart. Authorities believe repeat attempts are less likely if they are returned deep in Mexico.

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