The Trump administration's approach to fixing border issues without new legislation has been outlined by former senior advisor, Stephen Miller. Miller suggests several actions that could be implemented immediately to address the situation at the border.
One of the key recommendations is the reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the 'Remain in Mexico' policy. This policy required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were being processed in the United States. Reinstating this policy would help discourage individuals from attempting to cross the border without proper documentation or a valid claim for asylum.
Additionally, Miller proposes the reinstatement of safe third country agreements, which would effectively invalidate all asylum claims by individuals who have passed through another safe country before reaching the United States. This would allow for the immediate expulsion of these individuals and alleviate the burden on the U.S. asylum system.
Another measure suggested by Miller is the reinstatement of Title 42, which enables the deportation of individuals based on public health concerns. This measure has been utilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus across the border. By citing diseases coming across the border, this policy would allow for the deportation of anyone, including unaccompanied alien children, promptly and effectively.
Furthermore, Miller emphasizes the importance of prosecuting illegal immigrants who reenter the country after being deported. He proposes treating reentry as a felony offense, thereby serving as a substantial deterrent against repeated attempts to enter the United States illegally.
Another recommendation involves the reinstatement of interior deportations for Mexican nationals. Instead of flying them back to the northern border, Miller suggests deporting them to the south of Mexico. This would significantly increase the distance they would need to travel to reach the border again, further discouraging illegal reentry.
Miller highlights the need to prevent illegal immigration and argues that the correct amount of illegal immigration is zero. He criticizes the attempt to normalize high levels of illegal immigration and emphasizes that the country should maintain a policy of mandatory detention and expulsion for such cases.
In response to a proposed threshold of 8,500 people per day, after which the border would close to new migrants, Miller expresses skepticism. He suggests that even in this scenario, exceptions and waivers would likely be made, allowing for an influx of additional migrants.
In conclusion, Miller's recommendations reflect the Trump administration's stance on addressing border issues without Congressional assistance. These suggestions focus on reinstating policies and agreements that aim to discourage illegal immigration, streamline the asylum process, and deter individuals from attempting to cross the border unlawfully.
