Trump Is Using the Pandemic to Flout Immigration Laws

Posted on 05/14/20

Under the veil of the Coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump and his administration have taken swift action on immigration laws. These actions have led to refugees and children being deported throughout the country under the pretext of the Covid-19 health crisis. These new policies go against the meaningful initiatives that were put in place to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. In fact, it undermines the intention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its objectives to limit the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

The legal rights that are being distracted by such directives cannot go unnoticed by immigrants and the like. It is important to understand that no matter the circumstances, your rights cannot be infringed upon. Under the current administration, we have seen a weaponization of the Immigration Customs and Enforcement Agency (ICE) has blanketed the rights of a vast group of undocumented immigrants. The legal rights for immigrants during the Covid-19 pandemic have all gone ignored with no hearings, appeals, asylum applications, and child-specific cases going unheard. These new orders have still deported nearly twenty-thousand undocumented immigrants, including hundreds of children within the first few weeks of being implemented. The indiscriminate measures which were appropriate in the short term processes are now subject to continued extensions and remain unchecked by the house, senate, and judiciary.

The deportation policy can be found on the CDC’s webpage. Unfortunately, the CDC has been used as a political mouthpiece by the Trump administration to circumvent previous judicial rulings and ignore the rights of so many immigrants within the United States. The Immigration Control and Enforcement agency will continue to carry out the policy that was directed by the CDC with the White Houses instance. Anyone who attempts to cross the border without valid documentation or illegally will face immediate expulsion under the directive. Limiting the rights of Asylum seekers and so many others including undocumented children. These Procedures cannot go unchecked by Congress and the Judiciary.

By exploiting public health fears, the Trump administration has failed to guarantee the rights of so many asylum seekers and the like. Our immigration laws guarantee that those who are non-U.S. Citizens no matter their country of origin or status is entitled to the asylum process. Immigrants that claim asylum frequently leave areas of high poverty and violence and limiting their right to Asylum threatens their return to an unsafe home. With the CDC directive, these laws have been exploited and with the pandemic fears as a political tool, the administration has continued to enact the strictest immigration policies yet. Instead of deportation proceedings, the administration will focus on expulsion which can be interpreted in many ways. We will continue to keep you updated as information becomes available.

Immigrating to the U.S.? Turn to an attorney who can help you navigate the process with minimal complications. At the Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we know how to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants in Connecticut. Even as an undocumented immigrant, you have legal rights. Becoming more informed and actively aware of the protections available to you can help make certain that your rights are not violated. We are not afraid to represent your rights in court if they have been impeded upon by law enforcement or public defenders, you can trust our legal team to fight tirelessly on your behalf in court. Call today at (203) 753-7300.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/opinion/trump-coronavirus-immigration.html