Thread by @TomJawetz

Here’s another asylum change: an unaccompanied child from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America could be returned against their will without regard to whether they will be persecuted.

Here’s why... /1

https://twitter.com/reichlinmelnick/status/1087541175744188417

Under current law such kids aren’t barred at all from requesting asylum and they are placed in removal proceedings and can request asylum affirmatively. /2

Under this bill they could be repatriated unless an immigration officer who screens them finds that it is more probable than not that they will be trafficked or that they could establish eligibility for asylum. Here’s the catch... /3

The bill earlier creates a complete #AsylumBan for all children from Northern Triangle countries who arrive in the US and request asylum. Theyd be barred from eligibility under 208 so by definition it would never be more probable than not that they’d establish eligibility. /4

Here’s one more: this bill would define a totally meritorious asylum claim as “frivolous” if the application was filed “in part” for any purpose other than seeking protection from persecution, including for work authorization.

Not an asylum change but a #TPS change: the bill says in the future only people who are lawfully present can get Temporary Protected Status.

What does that mean?

If you are undocumented in the US and your home country is rocked by a devastating earthquake (think Haiti) that would make it impossible for the country to adequately handle your return, tough luck: you’re being deported.

If you are undocumented in the US and your home country is embroiled in an ongoing armed conflict (think Yemen, Syria) that would pose a serious threat to your life were you to return, tough luck: you’re being deported.