Thread by @HMAesq

Asylum seekers are forcibly displaced.

That means they have no choice.

Here are some real life examples of clients we've represented (Warning: distressing words)

Young woman and her boyfriend open an Internet cafe. MS13 shows up, kidnaps the boyfriend, threatens to rape woman and kill their child. They move, file police report. MS13 is notified and beatings begin again.

Asylum granted in US, 2016.

Man participates in democracy protest in mid-east. Arrested, beaten, detained without access to counsel. Police broke his phone during beatings, temporarily delaying identification of his family members.

Asylum granted in US, 2014.

Former civil war soldier moves to countryside to grow beans and live a quiet life. Gangs want his military training and start torturing off his family members.

Asylum granted in US, 2019.

Salvadoran man works as bricklayer in father's business. Gang members surround his home, threaten to kill father and sister. Calls police while threatened by a rival gang on a remote job site. Threats intensify...against his daughter, under age 10.

Asylum granted in US, 2018.

Doctor provides medical treatment for pro-democracy protestors without getting permission of secret police forces. Reported, detained, family members threatened.

Asylum granted in US, 2017.

Gang members kill one brother, then another. Then come after 2 sisters. Drag them into a field, beat them, rape them both, say they now belong to them.

Asylum office finds no credible fear. Reversed by judge; cases remain pending.

Alcoholic gang member rapes girlfriend in front of their daughter.

Daughter granted asylum in US, 2016. Mother's case remains pending.

Man forced to transport cocaine for corrupt cops. When he refuses, he's taken out in a squad car and beaten within an inch of his life by uniformed police officers.

Judge denies asylum, but grants protection under Convention Against Torture.

Egyptian who joined what's now an opposition party denied asylum twice by a judge. A 3 year procedural battle ensues.

Asylum finally granted in US, 2017.

Honduran, deported once before, lost his brother to gang violence. He was attacked by machete and barely recognizable.

Withholding of removal granted, 2016.

Pakistani risks life to help US forces root out deviant groups.

Asylum case stuck for years, despite having support of senior Defense officials.

Asylum granted after lawsuit filed, 2018.

Do you see the common ground?

THEY HAD NO CHOICE.

None of them chose never to be able to go home.

All of them wanted to stay, but they couldn't.

Throwing up walls and legislating cruelty will never defeat the human will to survive.

Never.

Maybe...it's time we legislate compassion instead.

Maybe...we should stop creating more refugees.

Maybe... empowerment is a better policy.

Maybe...we should stop being so scared.

What a world it would be where countries scrambled to admit refugees instead of scorning them.