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EXCLUSIVE: In court & 40+ interviews w/current & former US & Mexican officials, judges, lawyers, advocates, & asylum seekers, from San Diego to Juarez, @latimes has found that DHS officials implementing "Remain in Mexico" appear to be violating US law. lat.ms/2HwgEnx 1/
@latimes Trump officials have pushed 35,122 asylum seekers back across the U.S. southern border in 7 months, per DHS reports reviewed by The Times. Since the 9th Circuit allowed the policy to resume in May - despite judges' serious concerns - removals have quadrupled. 2/ 
@latimes In July, US officials began returning asylum seekers from Texas to Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, in Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The State Department gives Tamaulipas a level 4 “do not travel” warning. Same as Syria. bit.ly/2RnoRBe 3/
@latimes Here’s where all 35,122+ asylum seekers under “Remain in Mexico” have been removed, as of Aug. 18 (4/):
@latimes Meet Oswaldo: Family fled MS-13 in Guatemala. Robbed by Mexican police. Attempted kidnap. Rode trains north. Claimed asylum in Calexico. Told to come back to border 120 mi away in Tijuana, for San Diego hearing. Son separated. Sell candy on street, 115* heat. Now on hearing #4 5/
Meet Daniela: 19, fled San Salvador after gang & cop said they'd rape & kill her. Waited months to claim asylum-returned to Tijuana. CBP told her fear“not my problem.” During 1st hearing, policy blocked. Brought to detention. Policy restarted-returned to Tijuana. On hearing #4 6/
The alleged legal violations accompanying “Remain in Mexico” range from denying asylum seekers’ rights to due process to knowingly putting them at risk of physical harm, against bit.ly/2emyxZi & bit.ly/2PgAxFj (& more) 7/
Gov pushes for in absentia removal orders that could bar asylum seekers from US indefinitely. 1)They’ve already been removed to MX 2)CBP officers putting “known address” on asylum seeker paperwork 3)making it likely they don’t show up & get removal order-that won't reach them 8/
Judge O’Connor:“It gives me severe pause how this program is being implemented.” Judge Bither:"Neither of which language they speak.” 9th Circuit Judge: DHS procedures implementing policy “so ill-suited to achieving that stated goal as to render them arbitrary and capricious.” 9/
For President Trump, however, whose political priority is to restrict even legal immigration to the United States, the Remain in Mexico policy has been his single most successful effort: One asylum seeker subjected to the policy has won the ability to stay in the U.S. 10/
Even federal asylum officers are asking: At what cost? “How long can I do this and live with myself?” one told me. “I think about these people all the time … the ones that I sent back. I hope they’re alive.” Please read our investigation at @latimes END lat.ms/2HwgEnx
