Germany has received more asylum applications in 2021. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) reported that it had received 100,278 initial applications by the end of September.

Germany receives more asylum applications in first 9 months of 2021

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay. &nbsp;

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau is preparing to invite tenders for private contractors to run the Migrant Operations Center on the US naval base.

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It is close to the prison compounds, which encompasses the remaining 39 detainees held in the “war on terror”. &nbsp;

With the aim to hold Cuban asylum seekers, the centre was first set up in 1991. It was closed by the Obama administration in 2017. At the time of the closure, it was used to house around 34,000 each of Haitians and Cubans.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-at-us-army-base-was-an-exercise-no-casualties-official-415285" hreflang="en">'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official</a>

The department also wants the contractor to provide unarmed custody and security officers. &nbsp;

The advertisement states, “At least 10% of the augmented personnel must be fluent in Spanish and Haitian Creole.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-huddles-with-democrats-as-divisions-threaten-his-agenda-415220" hreflang="en">Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda</a>

On September 17, the advertisement was placed on the Sam.gov government contracting website. It has a deadline of October 1 for offers. &nbsp;

The advertisement reads, “The facility has a capacity of 120 people and will have an estimated daily population of 20 people, however, the service provider shall be responsible to maintain on site the necessary equipment to erect temporary housing facilities for populations that exceed 120 and up to 400 migrants in a surge event.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay.

In wake of surge in migrants and asylum seekers on the southern border, the Biden administration is looking to reopen a migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bureau is preparing to invite tenders for private contractors to run the Migrant Operations Center on the US naval base. Watch: × It is close to the prison compounds, which encompasses the remaining 39 detainees held in the “war on terror”. With the aim to hold Cuban asylum seekers, the centre was first set up in 1991. It was closed by the Obama administration in 2017. At the time of the closure, it was used to house around 34,000 each of Haitians and Cubans. Also Read | 'Shooting' at US army base was an 'exercise,' no casualties: Official The department also wants the contractor to provide unarmed custody and security officers. The advertisement states, “At least 10% of the augmented personnel must be fluent in Spanish and Haitian Creole.” Also Read: Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda On September 17, the advertisement was placed on the Sam.gov government contracting website. It has a deadline of October 1 for offers. The advertisement reads, “The facility has a capacity of 120 people and will have an estimated daily population of 20 people, however, the service provider shall be responsible to maintain on site the necessary equipment to erect temporary housing facilities for populations that exceed 120 and up to 400 migrants in a surge event.” (With inputs from agencies)

US looks to reopen migrant detention camp at Guantánamo Bay to tackle surge in asylum seekers

The Biden administration is broadening the pool of migrants who will be allowed to enter the United States to make asylum claims, in the latest effort to chip away at the restrictive immigration policies put in place under former President Donald Trump.

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that on Wednesday it would start considering migrants whose cases were terminated under a Trump-era program that gave border officials the authority to send asylum-seekers back to Mexico to wait for their cases to make it through the clogged American immigration system. The change could affect tens of thousands of people.

President Joe Biden had already ended the program, known officially as the Migrant Protection Protocols. His administration this month started bringing in migrants enrolled in the program who had pending asylum cases.

In a statement, the department said the latest move was “part of our continued effort to restore safe, orderly and humane processing at the southwest border.”

While many immigration and human rights advocates welcomed the development, it will do little to alleviate the pressure on the Biden administration to stop turning away hundreds of thousands of other migrants, many of whom are also seeking asylum, who have been banned from entering the United States because of a public health rule put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats and human rights advocates have long assailed the Trump program, which began in 2019 as an effort to discourage immigrants from trying to cross the southwestern border despite having a legal right to apply for asylum in the United States. Many of the asylum-seekers enrolled in the program had their cases closed because they could not appear at their court hearings in the United States while they faced perilous situations in Mexico.

“By keeping migrants in dangerous conditions in Mexico, the Trump administration ensured many people would not be able to appear at their hearings and their claims would be rejected,” Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Nanette Barragán of California, both Democrats, said in a joint statement Tuesday. Thompson is the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Barragán is the chair of the subcommittee on border security. “Allowing these people to be eligible for processing is the right thing to do,” the statement said.

Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the decision was made in haste and without transparency.

“The department’s seemingly impulsive announcement lacked explanation, justification or any other indicia that the decision had been made only after the careful deliberations and consultations that are both appropriate and lawfully required,” Guest wrote in a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary.

The development could affect more than 34,000 migrants seeking asylum in the United States, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, which collects immigration data.

Judy Rabinovitz, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the process would not be quick. Applicants would need to register, and someone would have to tell them what they needed to submit to reopen their cases. And there is no guarantee that an immigration judge would grant a motion to reopen, she said, let alone grant asylum.

In another significant break from the Trump administration, the Justice Department last week reversed a Trump-era immigration ruling that had made it all but impossible for people to seek asylum in the United States over credible fears of domestic abuse or gang violence. The decision could affect hundreds of thousands of Central Americans fleeing gang extortion and recruitment and women fleeing domestic abuse who arrived in the United States since 2013.

The Biden administration is broadening the pool of migrants who will be allowed to enter the United States to make asylum claims, in the latest effort to chip away at the restrictive immigration policies put in place under former President Donald Trump.

The Biden administration is broadening the pool of migrants who will be allowed to enter the United States to make asylum claims, in the latest effort to chip away at the restrictive immigration policies put in place under former President Donald Trump. The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that on Wednesday it would start considering migrants whose cases were terminated under a Trump-era program that gave border officials the authority to send asylum-seekers back to Mexico to wait for their cases to make it through the clogged American immigration system. The change could affect tens of thousands of people. President Joe Biden had already ended the program, known officially as the Migrant Protection Protocols. His administration this month started bringing in migrants enrolled in the program who had pending asylum cases. In a statement, the department said the latest move was “part of our continued effort to restore safe, orderly and humane processing at the southwest border.” While many immigration and human rights advocates welcomed the development, it will do little to alleviate the pressure on the Biden administration to stop turning away hundreds of thousands of other migrants, many of whom are also seeking asylum, who have been banned from entering the United States because of a public health rule put in place during the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats and human rights advocates have long assailed the Trump program, which began in 2019 as an effort to discourage immigrants from trying to cross the southwestern border despite having a legal right to apply for asylum in the United States. Many of the asylum-seekers enrolled in the program had their cases closed because they could not appear at their court hearings in the United States while they faced perilous situations in Mexico. “By keeping migrants in dangerous conditions in Mexico, the Trump administration ensured many people would not be able to appear at their hearings and their claims would be rejected,” Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Nanette Barragán of California, both Democrats, said in a joint statement Tuesday. Thompson is the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Barragán is the chair of the subcommittee on border security. “Allowing these people to be eligible for processing is the right thing to do,” the statement said. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the decision was made in haste and without transparency. “The department’s seemingly impulsive announcement lacked explanation, justification or any other indicia that the decision had been made only after the careful deliberations and consultations that are both appropriate and lawfully required,” Guest wrote in a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary. The development could affect more than 34,000 migrants seeking asylum in the United States, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, which collects immigration data. Judy Rabinovitz, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the process would not be quick. Applicants would need to register, and someone would have to tell them what they needed to submit to reopen their cases. And there is no guarantee that an immigration judge would grant a motion to reopen, she said, let alone grant asylum. In another significant break from the Trump administration, the Justice Department last week reversed a Trump-era immigration ruling that had made it all but impossible for people to seek asylum in the United States over credible fears of domestic abuse or gang violence. The decision could affect hundreds of thousands of Central Americans fleeing gang extortion and recruitment and women fleeing domestic abuse who arrived in the United States since 2013.

US to allow some asylum seekers rejected under Trump to reopen cases

Denmark's parliament has passed a law that will allow them to relocate asylum seekers outside Europe, despite criticism from rights groups and the United Nations.

Denmark passes law to move asylum centers outside the Europe

The United States this week will begin processing people held in the Matamoros migrant camp at the Texas border for entry into the country after the area was hit hard by severe weather, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday.

The camp, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas, is home to hundreds of migrants, most from Central America, hoping to be granted refuge across the border. They have endured sub-zero temperatures over the last week while living in flimsy tents.

"The migrant camp in Matamoros has recently been hard hit by extreme weather in northern Mexico. As President Biden continues to rebuild the nation`s border management in a way that reflects America`s values, addressing humanitarian needs in Matamoros has become a priority," the department said in a statement.

It said new arrivals at the camp will not gain entry into the United States through this limited process.

The statement came after DHS abruptly canceled plans last Monday to bring asylum seekers into Texas at two ports of entry.

Some camp residents have lived there for more than a year under former President Donald Trump`s controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings.

The Biden administration has said a new process will gradually begin to allow thousands of MPP asylum seekers to await courts’ decisions within the United States.

U.N. agencies will begin preparing camp residents for possible entry on Wednesday, conducing in-person registration of Matamoros` estimated 750 residents, the U.N.

Refugee Agency said in a statement. An initial group could be allowed to enter the United States this week, pending approval by U.S. authorities, it said.

There will be strict enforcement of health and safety protocols including testing for COVID-19, DHS said.

Its statement also contained a warning, as the Biden administration tries to head off a surge of migrants flocking to the border after a crackdown on immigration under Trump.

"Individuals should not believe smugglers or others claiming the border is now open. The administration will enforce existing immigration laws," it said.

The United States this week will begin processing people held in the Matamoros migrant camp at the Texas border for entry into the country after the area was hit hard by severe weather, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday.

The United States this week will begin processing people held in the Matamoros migrant camp at the Texas border for entry into the country after the area was hit hard by severe weather, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday. The camp, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas, is home to hundreds of migrants, most from Central America, hoping to be granted refuge across the border. They have endured sub-zero temperatures over the last week while living in flimsy tents. "The migrant camp in Matamoros has recently been hard hit by extreme weather in northern Mexico. As President Biden continues to rebuild the nation`s border management in a way that reflects America`s values, addressing humanitarian needs in Matamoros has become a priority," the department said in a statement. It said new arrivals at the camp will not gain entry into the United States through this limited process. The statement came after DHS abruptly canceled plans last Monday to bring asylum seekers into Texas at two ports of entry. Some camp residents have lived there for more than a year under former President Donald Trump`s controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings. The Biden administration has said a new process will gradually begin to allow thousands of MPP asylum seekers to await courts’ decisions within the United States. U.N. agencies will begin preparing camp residents for possible entry on Wednesday, conducing in-person registration of Matamoros` estimated 750 residents, the U.N. Refugee Agency said in a statement. An initial group could be allowed to enter the United States this week, pending approval by U.S. authorities, it said. There will be strict enforcement of health and safety protocols including testing for COVID-19, DHS said. Its statement also contained a warning, as the Biden administration tries to head off a surge of migrants flocking to the border after a crackdown on immigration under Trump. "Individuals should not believe smugglers or others claiming the border is now open. The administration will enforce existing immigration laws," it said.

US to admit asylum seekers from hard-hit camp at Texas border

After being trodded away for years by the Trump administration, asylum seekers have finally started returning to the US by the border under President Joe Biden's new immigration reforms.

The first group of 25 asylum seekers crossed the US border recently, with thousands of others waiting for their turn.

Biden's new and progressive immigration reforms have come as a welcome step as tens of thousands of asylum seekers from Central America were earlier being sent back through the border under Trump's "Remain in Mexico" program.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-his-first-major-global-appearance-biden-draws-sharp-contrast-with-trumps-policies-364920" hreflang="en">At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies</a>

The former US President Donald Trump was infamous for being against immigrants. Pertaining to that, he had issued notices to send immigrants back over the border due to the pending outcome of their applications.

Within a few days of taking over the White House, Biden's administration rushed to control the damage made by the previous administration and started to dismantle the controversial policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).

The group of 25 migrants crossed the border by bus from the Mexican city of Tijuana and were accompanied by volunteers of UNHCR.&nbsp;

After being trodded away for years by the Trump administration, asylum seekers have finally started returning to the US by the border under President Joe Biden's new immigration reforms.

After being trodded away for years by the Trump administration, asylum seekers have finally started returning to the US by the border under President Joe Biden's new immigration reforms. The first group of 25 asylum seekers crossed the US border recently, with thousands of others waiting for their turn. Biden's new and progressive immigration reforms have come as a welcome step as tens of thousands of asylum seekers from Central America were earlier being sent back through the border under Trump's "Remain in Mexico" program. Also read| At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies The former US President Donald Trump was infamous for being against immigrants. Pertaining to that, he had issued notices to send immigrants back over the border due to the pending outcome of their applications. Within a few days of taking over the White House, Biden's administration rushed to control the damage made by the previous administration and started to dismantle the controversial policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The group of 25 migrants crossed the border by bus from the Mexican city of Tijuana and were accompanied by volunteers of UNHCR.

First group of asylum seekers cross US border from Mexico

Migrants are waiting nervously at a migration office at the U.S.-Mexico border where a Mexican official calls out numbers from a long list of hopefuls waiting to cross to the United States. Migrants have been praying their numbers are called out before a new U.S. policy announced on Monday (July 15) enters into force that bars almost all immigrants from applying for asylum at the country's southern border.

New asylum curb adds more worry for those waiting at U.S.-Mexico border

A senior Australian minister will meet Sri Lanka's leaders in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-team-in-colombo-to-probe-islamic-state-related-cases-222386">Colombo</a> later on Tuesday to discuss border control and security matters following reports that the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-australian-navy-involved-in-encounter-in-south-china-sea-131633"> Australian navy</a> had intercepted and returned several boats carrying asylum seekers.

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton will meet Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss Australia's policy of returning boats carrying asylum seekers to their origin point, the minister`s spokeswoman said.

The hardline policy, "Operation Sovereign Borders", has attracted widespread criticism abroad, but has support within Australia.

Last week, the government said the navy had stopped a vessel originating from Sri Lanka that was carrying 20 men and women who were attempting to travel to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/david-warners-fitness-a-concern-ahead-of-australias-opening-world-cup-2019-match-223071">Australia</a>.&nbsp;

They were returned to Sri Lanka after a few days, Australia's conservative government said. Dutton travelled to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terrorists-planning-attacks-on-bridges-in-colombo-police-215597"> Colombo</a> on Monday amid Australian media reports that more six vessels originating from Sri Lanka have since been intercepted by the navy.

The minister's spokeswoman declined to comment on the reports that more boats had been intercepted.

"The purpose of the visit is to prosecute `Operation Sovereign Borders'&nbsp;interests and to engage Sri Lankan authorities on counter-terrorism matters," she said in an emailed statement.

If asylum seekers make it to Australia they are sent to camps in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-papua-new-guinea-leader-a-wildcard-in-pacific-power-play-223203">Papua New Guinea</a> and the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru indefinitely.

The UN refugee agency, a fierce critic of Australia`s strategy, said on Monday it was seeking urgent clarification from Canberra on the return of asylum seekers to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-muslim-ministers-resign-en-masse-over-hate-attacks-after-easter-bombings-224046">Sri Lanka.</a>

"We were neither notified of the arrival of the asylum-seekers nor of their subsequent removal," Babar Baloch, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said.

A senior Australian minister will meet Sri Lanka's leaders in Colombo later on Tuesday to discuss border control and security matters following reports that the Australian navy had intercepted and returned several boats carrying asylum seekers.

A senior Australian minister will meet Sri Lanka's leaders in Colombo later on Tuesday to discuss border control and security matters following reports that the Australian navy had intercepted and returned several boats carrying asylum seekers. Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton will meet Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss Australia's policy of returning boats carrying asylum seekers to their origin point, the minister`s spokeswoman said. The hardline policy, "Operation Sovereign Borders", has attracted widespread criticism abroad, but has support within Australia. Last week, the government said the navy had stopped a vessel originating from Sri Lanka that was carrying 20 men and women who were attempting to travel to Australia. They were returned to Sri Lanka after a few days, Australia's conservative government said. Dutton travelled to Colombo on Monday amid Australian media reports that more six vessels originating from Sri Lanka have since been intercepted by the navy. The minister's spokeswoman declined to comment on the reports that more boats had been intercepted. "The purpose of the visit is to prosecute `Operation Sovereign Borders' interests and to engage Sri Lankan authorities on counter-terrorism matters," she said in an emailed statement. If asylum seekers make it to Australia they are sent to camps in Papua New Guinea and the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru indefinitely. The UN refugee agency, a fierce critic of Australia`s strategy, said on Monday it was seeking urgent clarification from Canberra on the return of asylum seekers to Sri Lanka. "We were neither notified of the arrival of the asylum-seekers nor of their subsequent removal," Babar Baloch, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said.

Australian minister arrives in Sri Lanka to lay out stance on asylum seekers

US President Donald Trump on Saturday promised to bolster border security and mocked the asylum process at the southern border.

The President's latest pronouncements are in response to a rising number of migrants, many of them f<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-full-turn-around-trump-to-asylum-seekers-at-mexico-border-208260">amilies with children</a>, travelling northward from Central America through Mexico and to the US border.

Trump praised efforts by Mexico to hinder illegal immigration from Central America at its own southern border.

In recent days, Mexico has taken a more rigorous approach to interviewing and registering immigrants from Central America, Haiti and Cuba, according to officials.

Trump has made fighting illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America a key part of his agenda, but shutting down one of the world's most used borders might be a step too far, even for many of his fellow Republicans.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Saturday promised to bolster border security and mocked the asylum process at the southern border. The President's latest pronouncements are in response to a rising number of migrants, many of them families with children, travelling northward from Central America through Mexico and to the US border.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday promised to bolster border security and mocked the asylum process at the southern border. The President's latest pronouncements are in response to a rising number of migrants, many of them families with children, travelling northward from Central America through Mexico and to the US border. Trump praised efforts by Mexico to hinder illegal immigration from Central America at its own southern border. In recent days, Mexico has taken a more rigorous approach to interviewing and registering immigrants from Central America, Haiti and Cuba, according to officials. Trump has made fighting illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America a key part of his agenda, but shutting down one of the world's most used borders might be a step too far, even for many of his fellow Republicans.

Trump mocks asylum seekers, explains halt of funds to Central American nations

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-full-turn-around-trump-to-asylum-seekers-at-mexico-border-208260">Our country is full, turn around: Trump to asylum seekers at Mexico border</a>

US President Donald Trump visited the Mexican border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-cuts-737-production-rate-by-10-planes-per-month-208263">Boeing cuts 737 production rate by 10 planes per month</a>

Boeing announced Friday it would cut the production schedule of its 737 aircraft line following the two recent crashes that have seen the 737 MAX grounded worldwide.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-maldives-heads-for-polls-today-president-solih-hopes-for-majority-to-probe-china-deals-208265">As </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-maldives-heads-for-polls-today-president-solih-hopes-for-majority-to-probe-china-deals-208265">Maldives</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-maldives-heads-for-polls-today-president-solih-hopes-for-majority-to-probe-china-deals-208265"> heads for polls today President Solih hopes for </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-maldives-heads-for-polls-today-president-solih-hopes-for-majority-to-probe-china-deals-208265">majority</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-maldives-heads-for-polls-today-president-solih-hopes-for-majority-to-probe-china-deals-208265"> to probe China deals</a>

The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as $3 billion and risk sinking the economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-stops-115-rohingya-seeking-to-reach-malaysia-208264">Bangladesh stops 115 Rohingya seeking to reach Malaysia</a>

Bangladesh police have prevented 115 Rohingya refugees from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-pm-justin-trudeau-warns-of-russian-interference-in-parliamentary-polls-208261">Canada PM Justin Trudeau warns of Russian interference in parliamentary polls</a>

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday warned of the risk of interference by Russia in Canadian parliamentary elections scheduled for this fall.

&nbsp;

Our country is full, turn around: Trump to asylum seekers at Mexico border US President Donald Trump visited the Mexican border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming.

Our country is full, turn around: Trump to asylum seekers at Mexico border US President Donald Trump visited the Mexican border on Friday to deliver a message to would-be illegal immigrants and asylum seekers: don't bother coming. Boeing cuts 737 production rate by 10 planes per month Boeing announced Friday it would cut the production schedule of its 737 aircraft line following the two recent crashes that have seen the 737 MAX grounded worldwide. As Maldives heads for polls today President Solih hopes for majority to probe China deals The Maldives heads for a parliamentary election on Saturday with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih seeking a majority for his party to investigate debts to China, which it fears could run as high as $3 billion and risk sinking the economy. Bangladesh stops 115 Rohingya seeking to reach Malaysia Bangladesh police have prevented 115 Rohingya refugees from being smuggled to Malaysia in rickety fishing boats, officials said Saturday, but no suspected traffickers were detained. Canada PM Justin Trudeau warns of Russian interference in parliamentary polls Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday warned of the risk of interference by Russia in Canadian parliamentary elections scheduled for this fall.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the US border with Mexico next week, potentially disrupting millions of legal border crossings and billions of dollars in trade, if Mexico does not stop immigrants from reaching the United States.

"There's a very good likelihood that I'll be closing the border next week, and that will be just fine with me," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Trump has repeatedly said he would close the US border with Mexico during his two years in office and has not followed through. However, this time the government says it is struggling to deal with a surge of asylum seekers from countries in Central America who travel through Mexico.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials warned that traffic with Mexico could slow as the agency shifts 750 border personnel from ports of entry to help process asylum seekers who are turning up between official crossing points.

"Make no mistake: Americans may feel effects from this emergency," Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. Nielsen said the personnel shift would lead to commercial delays and long waiting times at crossing points.

Some of those delays were already being felt on both sides of the international border.

On Friday afternoon, the wait was longer than usual on the Mexican side of the crossing between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas, with long lines of freight trucks carrying goods from Mexican factories into the United States, according to a Reuters witness. One driver said she had been stuck in line for three hours on her way to her job in the United States.

Nielsen and other US officials say border patrol officers have been overwhelmed by a dramatic increase in asylum seekers, many of them children and families who arrive in large groups fleeing violence and economic hardship in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

March is on track for 100,000 border apprehensions, DHS officials said, which would be the highest monthly number in more than a decade. Most of those people can remain in the United States while their asylum claims are processed, which can take years because of ballooning immigration court backlogs.

Nielsen warned Congress on Thursday that the government faces a "system-wide meltdown" as it tries to care for more than 1,200 unaccompanied children and 6,600 migrant families in its custody.

Mexico played down the possibility of a border shutdown.

"Mexico does not act on the basis of threats. We are a great neighbour," Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter.

Mexican Senator Ricardo Monreal, who leads President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's party in the chamber, said in a statement on Friday he would seek to send a diplomatic note to the US Congress criticizing what he called Trump's "xenophobic attitudes."

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the US border with Mexico next week, potentially disrupting millions of legal border crossings and billions of dollars in trade, if Mexico does not stop immigrants from reaching the United States.

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to close the US border with Mexico next week, potentially disrupting millions of legal border crossings and billions of dollars in trade, if Mexico does not stop immigrants from reaching the United States. "There's a very good likelihood that I'll be closing the border next week, and that will be just fine with me," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump has repeatedly said he would close the US border with Mexico during his two years in office and has not followed through. However, this time the government says it is struggling to deal with a surge of asylum seekers from countries in Central America who travel through Mexico. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials warned that traffic with Mexico could slow as the agency shifts 750 border personnel from ports of entry to help process asylum seekers who are turning up between official crossing points. "Make no mistake: Americans may feel effects from this emergency," Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. Nielsen said the personnel shift would lead to commercial delays and long waiting times at crossing points. Some of those delays were already being felt on both sides of the international border. On Friday afternoon, the wait was longer than usual on the Mexican side of the crossing between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas, with long lines of freight trucks carrying goods from Mexican factories into the United States, according to a Reuters witness. One driver said she had been stuck in line for three hours on her way to her job in the United States. Nielsen and other US officials say border patrol officers have been overwhelmed by a dramatic increase in asylum seekers, many of them children and families who arrive in large groups fleeing violence and economic hardship in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. March is on track for 100,000 border apprehensions, DHS officials said, which would be the highest monthly number in more than a decade. Most of those people can remain in the United States while their asylum claims are processed, which can take years because of ballooning immigration court backlogs. Nielsen warned Congress on Thursday that the government faces a "system-wide meltdown" as it tries to care for more than 1,200 unaccompanied children and 6,600 migrant families in its custody. Mexico played down the possibility of a border shutdown. "Mexico does not act on the basis of threats. We are a great neighbour," Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter. Mexican Senator Ricardo Monreal, who leads President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's party in the chamber, said in a statement on Friday he would seek to send a diplomatic note to the US Congress criticizing what he called Trump's "xenophobic attitudes."

Trump threatens closure of US-Mexico border next week to stem asylum surge

The United States has delayed its plan to send asylum seekers back to Mexico while their claims are processed, as the Mexican government said Friday it <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-disagrees-with-us-returning-asylum-seekers-192837">"disagrees" with the policy</a>.

US and Mexican officials had said President Donald Trump's controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy would be put into effect Friday at noon with the return of 20 Central Americans at the San Ysidro border crossing between San Diego, California and the Mexican city of Tijuana.

However, no asylum seekers had been sent back by Friday evening, said an AFP correspondent at the border, and Mexican authorities said the program had been delayed.

A Mexican immigration official in Tijuana, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the first returns had been pushed back, possibly to Monday or later.

"It's not that simple. It's a very delicate migration situation," the source told AFP.

"These are migrants who have a court date with a judge (to seek asylum), which means US authorities have accepted that their lives could actually be in danger. If anything happens to them in Mexico, their families could sue the US government for failing to protect them."

Earlier, foreign ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said the Mexican government was not happy with the new policy, but would accept the migrants for "humanitarian" reasons.

"The Mexican government disagrees with the unilateral measure implemented by the United States government. However... we reiterate our commitment to migrants and human rights," Velasco told a news conference.

Mexico will give returnees humanitarian visas that allow them to stay in the country temporarily while they await their court dates in the US, he said.

The US plans to continue presenting 20 people a day at San Ysidro, and eventually extend the policy to other points along the 3,145-kilometer (2,000-mile) border, Velasco said.

Fighting 'catch and release'&nbsp;

Announced last year, the policy is meant to stop what Trump calls "catch and release" -- allowing migrants who cross the border without papers and claim asylum to leave detention and remain in the United States while their cases are processed.

The US Department of Homeland Security says it is facing a "humanitarian and security crisis" on the southern border, caused by a broken immigration system "exploited by smugglers, traffickers, and those who have no legal right to remain in the United States."

It says at least 80 percent of asylum claims are without merit -- mostly by poor refugees from violence-wracked Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Many of them never show up for their court hearings, department officials say.

The system is badly backlogged, with 800,000 asylum requests currently pending.

But the "Remain in Mexico" plan -- which Homeland Security has since rebranded the "Migrant Protection Protocols" -- has been sharply criticized by opponents on both sides of the border.

Migrants have been tortured, raped and killed in Mexico's often violent border regions, and the new policy violates the right of people whose lives are genuinely at risk to seek asylum in the US, activists say.

The new policy "is not only unlawful but could lead to dire and catastrophic consequences for those who are seeking to access the asylum process in the United States, a right which is enshrined in both domestic and international law," Katie Shepherd, a lawyer at the American Immigration Council, told AFP.

Authorities in Tijuana said the returnees would initially be housed in a government-run shelter.

Mexico will not accept unaccompanied minors, people with health problems or those who have appealed a rejected asylum claim, said Velasco.

The policy limbo came as Trump announced a deal to reopen the US government after a record five-week shutdown triggered by his fight with Congress over funding for a border wall, which he says is the only way to stop illegal immigration.

The deal with opposition Democrats does not include funding for the wall.

The United States has delayed its plan to send asylum seekers back to Mexico while their claims are processed, as the Mexican government said Friday it "disagrees" with the policy.

The United States has delayed its plan to send asylum seekers back to Mexico while their claims are processed, as the Mexican government said Friday it "disagrees" with the policy. US and Mexican officials had said President Donald Trump's controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy would be put into effect Friday at noon with the return of 20 Central Americans at the San Ysidro border crossing between San Diego, California and the Mexican city of Tijuana. However, no asylum seekers had been sent back by Friday evening, said an AFP correspondent at the border, and Mexican authorities said the program had been delayed. A Mexican immigration official in Tijuana, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the first returns had been pushed back, possibly to Monday or later. "It's not that simple. It's a very delicate migration situation," the source told AFP. "These are migrants who have a court date with a judge (to seek asylum), which means US authorities have accepted that their lives could actually be in danger. If anything happens to them in Mexico, their families could sue the US government for failing to protect them." Earlier, foreign ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said the Mexican government was not happy with the new policy, but would accept the migrants for "humanitarian" reasons. "The Mexican government disagrees with the unilateral measure implemented by the United States government. However... we reiterate our commitment to migrants and human rights," Velasco told a news conference. Mexico will give returnees humanitarian visas that allow them to stay in the country temporarily while they await their court dates in the US, he said. The US plans to continue presenting 20 people a day at San Ysidro, and eventually extend the policy to other points along the 3,145-kilometer (2,000-mile) border, Velasco said. Fighting 'catch and release' Announced last year, the policy is meant to stop what Trump calls "catch and release" -- allowing migrants who cross the border without papers and claim asylum to leave detention and remain in the United States while their cases are processed. The US Department of Homeland Security says it is facing a "humanitarian and security crisis" on the southern border, caused by a broken immigration system "exploited by smugglers, traffickers, and those who have no legal right to remain in the United States." It says at least 80 percent of asylum claims are without merit -- mostly by poor refugees from violence-wracked Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Many of them never show up for their court hearings, department officials say. The system is badly backlogged, with 800,000 asylum requests currently pending. But the "Remain in Mexico" plan -- which Homeland Security has since rebranded the "Migrant Protection Protocols" -- has been sharply criticized by opponents on both sides of the border. Migrants have been tortured, raped and killed in Mexico's often violent border regions, and the new policy violates the right of people whose lives are genuinely at risk to seek asylum in the US, activists say. The new policy "is not only unlawful but could lead to dire and catastrophic consequences for those who are seeking to access the asylum process in the United States, a right which is enshrined in both domestic and international law," Katie Shepherd, a lawyer at the American Immigration Council, told AFP. Authorities in Tijuana said the returnees would initially be housed in a government-run shelter. Mexico will not accept unaccompanied minors, people with health problems or those who have appealed a rejected asylum claim, said Velasco. The policy limbo came as Trump announced a deal to reopen the US government after a record five-week shutdown triggered by his fight with Congress over funding for a border wall, which he says is the only way to stop illegal immigration. The deal with opposition Democrats does not include funding for the wall.

US delays returning asylum seekers to Mexico

Mexico said Friday it "disagrees" with the United States's new policy of returning asylum seekers back across the border while their cases are processed, but will accept them for "humanitarian" reasons.

Speaking as the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-begin-returning-asylum-seekers-to-mexico-192617">US prepared to send the first asylum seekers</a> back across the border, foreign ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said Mexico had not contributed to President Donald Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy.

"The Mexican government disagrees with the unilateral measure implemented by the United States government. However... we reiterate our commitment to migrants and human rights," Velasco told a news conference.

He said the US embassy in Mexico had informed local authorities the policy would begin within hours with the return of 20 Central American asylum seekers at the San Ysidro border crossing between San Diego, California and the Mexican city of Tijuana.

The US will continue presenting 20 people a day at that crossing, and eventually extend the policy to other points along the 3,145-kilometre (2,000-mile) border, he said.

Announced in December, the policy is meant to stop what Trump calls "catch and release" -- allowing migrants who cross the border without papers and claim asylum to leave detention and remain in the United States while their cases are processed.

The US Department of Homeland Security says at least 80 per cent of asylum claims are without merit -- mostly by poor refugees from violence-wracked Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Many of them never show up for their court hearings, department officials say.

The system is badly backlogged, with 800,000 asylum requests currently pending.

But the "Remain in Mexico" plan has been sharply criticized by opponents on both sides of the border.

Migrants have been tortured, raped and killed in Mexico's often violent border regions, and the new policy violates their right to seek asylum in the US, activists say.

The new policy "is not only unlawful but could lead to dire and catastrophic consequences for those who are seeking to access the asylum process in the United States, a right which is enshrined in both domestic and international law," Katie Shepherd, a lawyer at the American Immigration Council, told AFP.

Mexico said it would give returnees humanitarian visas that would allow them to remain in the country temporarily while they await their court dates in the US.

Authorities in Tijuana said they would initially be housed in a government-run shelter.

Mexico will not accept unaccompanied minors, people with health problems or those who have appealed a rejected asylum claim, said Velasco.

Trump announced a deal Friday to reopen the US government after a record five-week shutdown triggered by his fight with Congress over funding for a border wall, which he says is the only way to stop illegal immigration.

The deal with opposition Democrats does not include funding for the wall. Mexico 'disagrees' with US returning asylum seekers

Mexico said Friday it "disagrees" with the United States's new policy of returning asylum seekers back across the border while their cases are processed, but will accept them for "humanitarian" reasons.

Mexico said Friday it "disagrees" with the United States's new policy of returning asylum seekers back across the border while their cases are processed, but will accept them for "humanitarian" reasons. Speaking as the US prepared to send the first asylum seekers back across the border, foreign ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said Mexico had not contributed to President Donald Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy. "The Mexican government disagrees with the unilateral measure implemented by the United States government. However... we reiterate our commitment to migrants and human rights," Velasco told a news conference. He said the US embassy in Mexico had informed local authorities the policy would begin within hours with the return of 20 Central American asylum seekers at the San Ysidro border crossing between San Diego, California and the Mexican city of Tijuana. The US will continue presenting 20 people a day at that crossing, and eventually extend the policy to other points along the 3,145-kilometre (2,000-mile) border, he said. Announced in December, the policy is meant to stop what Trump calls "catch and release" -- allowing migrants who cross the border without papers and claim asylum to leave detention and remain in the United States while their cases are processed. The US Department of Homeland Security says at least 80 per cent of asylum claims are without merit -- mostly by poor refugees from violence-wracked Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Many of them never show up for their court hearings, department officials say. The system is badly backlogged, with 800,000 asylum requests currently pending. But the "Remain in Mexico" plan has been sharply criticized by opponents on both sides of the border. Migrants have been tortured, raped and killed in Mexico's often violent border regions, and the new policy violates their right to seek asylum in the US, activists say. The new policy "is not only unlawful but could lead to dire and catastrophic consequences for those who are seeking to access the asylum process in the United States, a right which is enshrined in both domestic and international law," Katie Shepherd, a lawyer at the American Immigration Council, told AFP. Mexico said it would give returnees humanitarian visas that would allow them to remain in the country temporarily while they await their court dates in the US. Authorities in Tijuana said they would initially be housed in a government-run shelter. Mexico will not accept unaccompanied minors, people with health problems or those who have appealed a rejected asylum claim, said Velasco. Trump announced a deal Friday to reopen the US government after a record five-week shutdown triggered by his fight with Congress over funding for a border wall, which he says is the only way to stop illegal immigration. The deal with opposition Democrats does not include funding for the wall. Mexico 'disagrees' with US returning asylum seekers

Mexico 'disagrees' with US returning asylum seekers

A US judge on Wednesday struck down <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/texas-shelter-helps-asylum-seekers-as-trump-clamps-down-178737">Trump administration policies aimed</a> at restricting asylum claims by people citing gang or domestic violence in their home countries and ordered the US government to bring back six deported migrants to reconsider their cases.

The ruling is the latest<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-temporarily-blocks-trumps-asylum-restrictions-178370"> legal setback for the White House</a> on immigration. Last month, a judge in San Francisco ordered a halt to a policy that prevented those entering illegally from Mexico from seeking asylum.

The policy at the centre Wednesday's ruling sought to limit the ability of immigrants to fight expedited deportation by narrowing the grounds for claiming "credible fear" if they returned home, the first step in a long asylum process.

The policy was challenged in a District of Columbia lawsuit brought by a dozen adults and children. US Judge Emmet Sullivan said in a 107-page opinion the policy violated both immigration and administrative law.

"And because it is the will of Congress - not the whims of the executive - that determines the standard for expedited removal, the court finds that those policies are unlawful," Sullivan wrote.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said administration policies sought to follow Congress' requirement that asylum be limited to those with a fear of persecution based on their race, nationality, religion, political opinion or membership in a social group.

The DOJ filed a request to stay the court's orders while the government appealed. Sullivan had not responded to that request.

Sullivan, an appointee of US President Bill Clinton, made headlines on Tuesday for his fierce criticism of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, for lying to FBI agents.

For the last three months of 2017, the most recent numbers, the government conducted about 6,000 credible fear interviews monthly. The vast majority passed those interviews, allowing them to make their case for asylum in front of a US immigration judge.

Jennifer Chang Newell, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing the asylum seekers, said the ruling "is a defeat for the Trump administration’s all-out assault on the rights of asylum seekers."

The ruling clears the way for four mothers and two children to be returned to the United States, she said.

The administration has said that the asylum process is being abused by people who have frivolous claims but are able to stay in the country while their cases are being decided.

In a separate case, U.S. District Judge John Tigar in San Francisco on Wednesday extended his previous order that blocked Trump's policy to bar those entering illegally from Mexico from seeking asylum.

The preliminary injunction ordered by Tigar will remain in place while the litigation unfolds, unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes.

Illegal crossings at the southern border have dropped dramatically since the late 1970s. But in recent years, applications for asylum have ballooned, and more Central American families and unaccompanied children are migrating to the United States.

On Tuesday, the United States committed billions of dollars towards development in Central America and Mexico as part of a plan to curb illegal immigration.

A US judge on Wednesday struck down Trump administration policies aimed at restricting asylum claims by people citing gang or domestic violence in their home countries and ordered the US government to bring back six deported migrants to reconsider their cases.

A US judge on Wednesday struck down Trump administration policies aimed at restricting asylum claims by people citing gang or domestic violence in their home countries and ordered the US government to bring back six deported migrants to reconsider their cases. The ruling is the latest legal setback for the White House on immigration. Last month, a judge in San Francisco ordered a halt to a policy that prevented those entering illegally from Mexico from seeking asylum. The policy at the centre Wednesday's ruling sought to limit the ability of immigrants to fight expedited deportation by narrowing the grounds for claiming "credible fear" if they returned home, the first step in a long asylum process. The policy was challenged in a District of Columbia lawsuit brought by a dozen adults and children. US Judge Emmet Sullivan said in a 107-page opinion the policy violated both immigration and administrative law. "And because it is the will of Congress - not the whims of the executive - that determines the standard for expedited removal, the court finds that those policies are unlawful," Sullivan wrote. In a statement, the Department of Justice said administration policies sought to follow Congress' requirement that asylum be limited to those with a fear of persecution based on their race, nationality, religion, political opinion or membership in a social group. The DOJ filed a request to stay the court's orders while the government appealed. Sullivan had not responded to that request. Sullivan, an appointee of US President Bill Clinton, made headlines on Tuesday for his fierce criticism of Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, for lying to FBI agents. For the last three months of 2017, the most recent numbers, the government conducted about 6,000 credible fear interviews monthly. The vast majority passed those interviews, allowing them to make their case for asylum in front of a US immigration judge. Jennifer Chang Newell, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing the asylum seekers, said the ruling "is a defeat for the Trump administration’s all-out assault on the rights of asylum seekers." The ruling clears the way for four mothers and two children to be returned to the United States, she said. The administration has said that the asylum process is being abused by people who have frivolous claims but are able to stay in the country while their cases are being decided. In a separate case, U.S. District Judge John Tigar in San Francisco on Wednesday extended his previous order that blocked Trump's policy to bar those entering illegally from Mexico from seeking asylum. The preliminary injunction ordered by Tigar will remain in place while the litigation unfolds, unless the U.S. Supreme Court intervenes. Illegal crossings at the southern border have dropped dramatically since the late 1970s. But in recent years, applications for asylum have ballooned, and more Central American families and unaccompanied children are migrating to the United States. On Tuesday, the United States committed billions of dollars towards development in Central America and Mexico as part of a plan to curb illegal immigration.

US judge rules in favour of asylum seekers

As President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-renews-threat-to-close-us-border-with-mexico-178844">Trump threatened to close </a>the US-Mexico border, hundreds of Central American migrants walked towards Tijuana San Ysidro crossing point from Tijuana into California as tensions mounted over the asylum issue in the US border town.

"If we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control or where people are going to start getting hurt, we will close entry into the country for a period of time until we can get it under control," Trump said as migrants sought to cross the border.

"The whole border. I mean the whole border. Mexico will not be able to sell their cars into the United States where they make so many cars," the US president added.

The migrants were protesting the slow process of visa application amid calls by migrant leaders to cross the border. As tensions rose border officials and human rights activists intervened to prevent the border crossing.

The migrants comprising of people belonging mainly from Honduras, &nbsp;El Salvador and Guatemala have walked nearly 4,400 kilometres are now at the US doorstep. 
Authorities in Tijuana have set up a job fair in an attempt to recruit skilled workers as Mexico continues to house them.

Mexico deployed riot police as officials predicted that upto 10,000 Central American migrants could gather at the northern border crossing points of Tijuana and Mexicali.

President has branded the migrants as dangerous, even calling it as an act of invasion derisively naming them "migrant caravan". The US president had said border guards could use bullets to prevent crossing leading to large-scale criticism.

There are already over 5,000 US guards patrolling the border with the numbers set to swell in the months ahead.&nbsp;

As President Trump threatened to close the US-Mexico border, hundreds of Central American migrants walked towards Tijuana San Ysidro crossing point from Tijuana into California as tensions mounted over the asylum issue in the US border town.

As President Trump threatened to close the US-Mexico border, hundreds of Central American migrants walked towards Tijuana San Ysidro crossing point from Tijuana into California as tensions mounted over the asylum issue in the US border town. "If we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control or where people are going to start getting hurt, we will close entry into the country for a period of time until we can get it under control," Trump said as migrants sought to cross the border. "The whole border. I mean the whole border. Mexico will not be able to sell their cars into the United States where they make so many cars," the US president added. The migrants were protesting the slow process of visa application amid calls by migrant leaders to cross the border. As tensions rose border officials and human rights activists intervened to prevent the border crossing. The migrants comprising of people belonging mainly from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have walked nearly 4,400 kilometres are now at the US doorstep. Authorities in Tijuana have set up a job fair in an attempt to recruit skilled workers as Mexico continues to house them. Mexico deployed riot police as officials predicted that upto 10,000 Central American migrants could gather at the northern border crossing points of Tijuana and Mexicali. President has branded the migrants as dangerous, even calling it as an act of invasion derisively naming them "migrant caravan". The US president had said border guards could use bullets to prevent crossing leading to large-scale criticism. There are already over 5,000 US guards patrolling the border with the numbers set to swell in the months ahead.

Migrants attempt to cross border as Trump threatens to temporarily close US-Mexico border

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hardens-stance-on-mexico-border-says-15000-troops-could-be-sent-174771">immigrants seeking asylum </a>in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

It was not clear whether the plan would pass legal muster. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides that any immigrant in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of whether he or she entered the country through a designated port of entry.

"Migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that he would issue an executive order on immigration next week.

"Those who choose to break our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use meritless claims to gain automatic admission into our country," he added.

Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before elections on Tuesday that will determine whether his fellow Republicans keep control of Congress.&nbsp;

In recent days, he has sought to present as a threat to the United States a large group of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pressures-mexico-to-stop-migrant-caravans-174739">migrants from Central America</a> who have left poverty and violence at home and are heading slowly through Mexico toward the US border.

"These illegal caravans will not be allowed into the United States and they should turn back now," Trump said. "We are stopping people at the border. This is an invasion."&nbsp;

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, an ally of the president and head of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed some of the president's strong rhetoric about the caravan in a letter to the secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

In the letter, Grassley said his office had received information that several members of the caravan had "significant criminal histories" and was seeking information about "potential national security threats that reportedly exist among the members."

Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border to confront the migrant caravan, more than twice the number previously disclosed by defence officials.

Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls.

On another immigration front, Trump said this week he would seek to scrap the constitutional right of citizenship for US-born children of noncitizens and illegal immigrants, saying he would issue an executive order on so-called birthright citizenship.&nbsp;

Trump and some other Republicans say the right - granted by the Constitution's post-Civil War 14th Amendment - creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Critics, including some other Republicans, say the president cannot change the Constitution by fiat. Such an action would virtually guarantee a legal challenge.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was finalising a plan that would require immigrants seeking asylum in the United States to approach a legal port of entry, pushing a hard line on immigration ahead of next week's congressional elections. It was not clear whether the plan would pass legal muster. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides that any immigrant in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of whether he or she entered the country through a designated port of entry. "Migrants seeking asylum will have to present themselves lawfully at a port of entry," Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that he would issue an executive order on immigration next week. "Those who choose to break our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use meritless claims to gain automatic admission into our country," he added. Trump has ramped up his tough stance on illegal immigration, an issue that appeals to his core supporters, before elections on Tuesday that will determine whether his fellow Republicans keep control of Congress. In recent days, he has sought to present as a threat to the United States a large group of migrants from Central America who have left poverty and violence at home and are heading slowly through Mexico toward the US border. "These illegal caravans will not be allowed into the United States and they should turn back now," Trump said. "We are stopping people at the border. This is an invasion." Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, an ally of the president and head of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed some of the president's strong rhetoric about the caravan in a letter to the secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. In the letter, Grassley said his office had received information that several members of the caravan had "significant criminal histories" and was seeking information about "potential national security threats that reportedly exist among the members." Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border to confront the migrant caravan, more than twice the number previously disclosed by defence officials. Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls. On another immigration front, Trump said this week he would seek to scrap the constitutional right of citizenship for US-born children of noncitizens and illegal immigrants, saying he would issue an executive order on so-called birthright citizenship. Trump and some other Republicans say the right - granted by the Constitution's post-Civil War 14th Amendment - creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Critics, including some other Republicans, say the president cannot change the Constitution by fiat. Such an action would virtually guarantee a legal challenge.

Trump moves to crack down on asylum seekers ahead of US elections

Australia turned down on Sunday an offer to take 150 asylum seekers being held in an Australian-run detention centre in Papua New Guinea, where UN&nbsp;officials have warned a humanitarian emergency is unfolding.

About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago.

Australian authorities want the men moved to a transit centre elsewhere on the island at the start of a process the asylum seekers fear will result in them being resettled in PNG or another developing nation. The men also fear violent reprisals from the local community.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday her country was willing to take 150 asylum seekers from among those held on Manus island and another camp on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru.

Her Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, however said Canberra preferred to work through an existing refugee swap deal he negotiated with former U.S. President Barack Obama last year. Under that deal, up to 1,250 asylum seekers could be sent to the United States and Australia will in turn accept refugees from Central America.

&quot;We want to pursue those, conclude those arrangements, and then in the wake of that obviously we can consider other ones,&quot; Turnbull told Ardern during a media conference in Sydney.

Relocating the men on Manus island is designed as a temporary measure, allowing the United States time to complete vetting of asylum seekers.

Ardern acknowledged the two Tasman neighbours faced different immigration problems but said the offer remained open.

The camps on Manus island and Nauru have been key parts of Australia&#39;s disputed &#39;Sovereign Borders&#39;&nbsp;immigration policy, under which it refuses to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to reach its shores.

Australia&#39;s offshore detention policies have been heavily criticised by the United Nations and human rights groups but are backed the centre-right government and the Labor opposition.

UN&nbsp;rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva on Friday about the &quot;unfolding humanitarian emergency&quot; in the Manus island centre, where asylum seekers have been reported digging wells to try to find water.

About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago.

Australia turned down on Sunday an offer to take 150 asylum seekers being held in an Australian-run detention centre in Papua New Guinea, where UN officials have warned a humanitarian emergency is unfolding. About 600 men have barricaded themselves inside the camp on remote Manus island in Papua New Guinea, defying efforts by Australia and PNG to shut it. Food, running water and medical services were cut off by Australia five days ago. Australian authorities want the men moved to a transit centre elsewhere on the island at the start of a process the asylum seekers fear will result in them being resettled in PNG or another developing nation. The men also fear violent reprisals from the local community. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday her country was willing to take 150 asylum seekers from among those held on Manus island and another camp on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru. Her Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, however said Canberra preferred to work through an existing refugee swap deal he negotiated with former U.S. President Barack Obama last year. Under that deal, up to 1,250 asylum seekers could be sent to the United States and Australia will in turn accept refugees from Central America. "We want to pursue those, conclude those arrangements, and then in the wake of that obviously we can consider other ones," Turnbull told Ardern during a media conference in Sydney. Relocating the men on Manus island is designed as a temporary measure, allowing the United States time to complete vetting of asylum seekers. Ardern acknowledged the two Tasman neighbours faced different immigration problems but said the offer remained open. The camps on Manus island and Nauru have been key parts of Australia's disputed 'Sovereign Borders' immigration policy, under which it refuses to allow asylum seekers arriving by boat to reach its shores. Australia's offshore detention policies have been heavily criticised by the United Nations and human rights groups but are backed the centre-right government and the Labor opposition. UN rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news conference in Geneva on Friday about the "unfolding humanitarian emergency" in the Manus island centre, where asylum seekers have been reported digging wells to try to find water.

Australia turns down New Zealand offer to take asylum seekers barricaded inside camp

Sweden is set to deport a blind, 106-year-old Afghan refugee. 
 
Bibikhal Uzbek is believed to be the oldest asylum seeker of the world. 
 
In 2015, she along with her son and grand children, traveled through the mountainous paths from Kunduz via Iran and Turkey to seek refuge in Europe. 
 
Her application for asylum was denied by the Swedish migration agency and she is now instructed to return to Afghanistan.&nbsp; 
 
Uzbek is just two weeks short from turning 107. On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk. 
 
The agency claims that the family&#39;s hometown, Kunduz is entirely safe for the family to return. 
 
Heavy clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban cause massive unrest in the area. 
 
The family claims that she is not in physically fit to travel back to Afghanistan. They have filed an appeal for her to stay in Sweden to live out the final period of her life.&nbsp; 
 
In the recent past, Sweden&#39;s Asylum Agency drew criticism for testing religious knowledge of converted Christian asylum seekers. 
 
In 2016, more than 4500 refugees withdrew applications and left the country, major factors being lengthy processes, rigorous rules, and difficulty in employment.

On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk

Sweden is set to deport a blind, 106-year-old Afghan refugee. Bibikhal Uzbek is believed to be the oldest asylum seeker of the world. In 2015, she along with her son and grand children, traveled through the mountainous paths from Kunduz via Iran and Turkey to seek refuge in Europe. Her application for asylum was denied by the Swedish migration agency and she is now instructed to return to Afghanistan. Uzbek is just two weeks short from turning 107. On hearing the news of application rejection, she had a stroke and is now bedridden--unable to see, speak or walk. The agency claims that the family's hometown, Kunduz is entirely safe for the family to return. Heavy clashes between Afghan security forces and the Taliban cause massive unrest in the area. The family claims that she is not in physically fit to travel back to Afghanistan. They have filed an appeal for her to stay in Sweden to live out the final period of her life. In the recent past, Sweden's Asylum Agency drew criticism for testing religious knowledge of converted Christian asylum seekers. In 2016, more than 4500 refugees withdrew applications and left the country, major factors being lengthy processes, rigorous rules, and difficulty in employment.

Sweden to deport 106-year-old blind Afghan refugee

Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from the United States but will ensure security measures are taken to keep Canadians safe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.

The number of would-be refugees crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that US President Donald Trump will crack down on illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral.

Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau&#39; s centre-left Liberal government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the United States because of security fears and a lack of resources to deal with them.

&quot;One of the reasons why Canada remains an open country is Canadians trust our immigration system and the integrity of our borders and the help we provide people who are looking for safety,&quot; Trudeau told parliament.

&quot;We will continue to strike that balance between a rigorous system and accepting people who need help.&quot;

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen also said Canada would continue to honour the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires it to turn back refugees if they make asylum claims at Canadian border crossings with the United States. Refugee advocates have argued this drives asylum seekers to cross illegally at isolated locations, risking their lives in frigid weather.

Amnesty International and other groups are pressuring the Canadian government to abandon the agreement, arguing the United States is not safe for refugees.

Canadian police said on Monday they had bolstered their presence at the Quebec border and that border authorities had created a temporary refugee centre to process the asylum seekers.

The number of people making refugee claims at Quebec-US border crossings more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Last month, 452 people made claims in Quebec compared with 137 in January 2016.

The influx is straining resources in the western prairie province of Manitoba and in Quebec, where taxis drop asylum seekers off metres away from the Quebec-U.S.border, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said.

The right-leaning Conservative opposition have called on Canadian authorities to hand illegal immigrants over to US authorities, but Hussen said Canada can honour its refugee agreement with the United States while helping asylum seekers who enter the country illegally.

(Reuters)

&nbsp;

Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau' s government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the US because of security fears

Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from the United States but will ensure security measures are taken to keep Canadians safe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. The number of would-be refugees crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that US President Donald Trump will crack down on illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral. Opposition Conservatives want Trudeau' s centre-left Liberal government to stem the flow of asylum seekers from the United States because of security fears and a lack of resources to deal with them. "One of the reasons why Canada remains an open country is Canadians trust our immigration system and the integrity of our borders and the help we provide people who are looking for safety," Trudeau told parliament. "We will continue to strike that balance between a rigorous system and accepting people who need help." Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen also said Canada would continue to honour the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires it to turn back refugees if they make asylum claims at Canadian border crossings with the United States. Refugee advocates have argued this drives asylum seekers to cross illegally at isolated locations, risking their lives in frigid weather. Amnesty International and other groups are pressuring the Canadian government to abandon the agreement, arguing the United States is not safe for refugees. Canadian police said on Monday they had bolstered their presence at the Quebec border and that border authorities had created a temporary refugee centre to process the asylum seekers. The number of people making refugee claims at Quebec-US border crossings more than doubled from 2015 to 2016. Last month, 452 people made claims in Quebec compared with 137 in January 2016. The influx is straining resources in the western prairie province of Manitoba and in Quebec, where taxis drop asylum seekers off metres away from the Quebec-U.S.border, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said. The right-leaning Conservative opposition have called on Canadian authorities to hand illegal immigrants over to US authorities, but Hussen said Canada can honour its refugee agreement with the United States while helping asylum seekers who enter the country illegally. (Reuters)

Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from US: Justin Trudeau

Asylum seekers held at a Papua New Guinea detention centre briefly took control of two compounds and expelled guards following the death of a refugee who fell ill at the centre, Papua New Guinea police said on Sunday.

Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, from Lorengau Police Station on Manus Island, said guards at the Manus Island regional processing centre were expelled by residents last night.

&ldquo;There was a situation there ... over the death of a resident,&rdquo; he told Reuters by phone, adding that order had been restored.

A 27-year-old Sudanese man, who was identified as Faysal Ishak Ahmed by refugee advocates, collapsed at the centre and was evacuated to hospital in Australia this week. Australia&rsquo;s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said he died on Saturday.

The man&#39;s death is not being treated as suspicious by Australian authorities, but detainees and refugee rights groups have claimed the man was seriously ill for months and had made repeated requests for medical assistance before the emergency.

Under Australia&#39;s tough border security policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at the camps on Papua New Guinea&#39;s Manus island and Nauru in the South Pacific. They are never eligible for resettlement in Australia.

An Australian immigration department spokesperson confirmed an incident on Manus Island overnight.

&ldquo;The Department is aware of a disturbance involving a group of residents in the mess area of Manus RPC,&rdquo; the spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. &ldquo;The disturbance has now been resolved. There is minor property damage and no reported injuries.&rdquo;

Photos posted to Facebook by Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who is among the asylum seekers held on Manus Island, showed what appeared to be damage to a mess area inside one of the compounds.

Mr. Boochani wrote: &ldquo;We just kicked out the Wilson security from Delta and Oscar detentions. This message is for the government.&rdquo;

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The United Nations and human rights groups have condemned Australia&#39;s immigration policy, citing human rights abuses in the centres on Manus Island and Nauru and prison-like conditions that have driven some detainees to attempt suicide.

A total of 872 asylum seekers are held on Manus despite Papua New Guinea&#39;s Supreme Court ruling in April that their detention was illegal and ordering the camps to close.

(Reuters)

The asylum seekers were protesting over the death of a Sudanese man who had been critically ill for months and was not given medical aid

Asylum seekers held at a Papua New Guinea detention centre briefly took control of two compounds and expelled guards following the death of a refugee who fell ill at the centre, Papua New Guinea police said on Sunday. Senior Sergeant Thomas Lelepo, from Lorengau Police Station on Manus Island, said guards at the Manus Island regional processing centre were expelled by residents last night. “There was a situation there ... over the death of a resident,” he told Reuters by phone, adding that order had been restored. A 27-year-old Sudanese man, who was identified as Faysal Ishak Ahmed by refugee advocates, collapsed at the centre and was evacuated to hospital in Australia this week. Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection said he died on Saturday. The man's death is not being treated as suspicious by Australian authorities, but detainees and refugee rights groups have claimed the man was seriously ill for months and had made repeated requests for medical assistance before the emergency. Under Australia's tough border security policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at the camps on Papua New Guinea's Manus island and Nauru in the South Pacific. They are never eligible for resettlement in Australia. An Australian immigration department spokesperson confirmed an incident on Manus Island overnight. “The Department is aware of a disturbance involving a group of residents in the mess area of Manus RPC,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday. “The disturbance has now been resolved. There is minor property damage and no reported injuries.” Photos posted to Facebook by Iranian refugee Behrouz Boochani, who is among the asylum seekers held on Manus Island, showed what appeared to be damage to a mess area inside one of the compounds. Mr. Boochani wrote: “We just kicked out the Wilson security from Delta and Oscar detentions. This message is for the government.” The United Nations and human rights groups have condemned Australia's immigration policy, citing human rights abuses in the centres on Manus Island and Nauru and prison-like conditions that have driven some detainees to attempt suicide. A total of 872 asylum seekers are held on Manus despite Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruling in April that their detention was illegal and ordering the camps to close. (Reuters)

Asylum seekers riot at Papua New Guinea detention camp

The deal struck between Australia and the outgoing Obama administration to relocate as many as 1,200 asylum seekers to the United States will begin after President-elect Donald Trump takes over the office in January 2017, Reuters reported Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as saying.

Turnbull on Sunday&nbsp;said that the US had agreed to take &ldquo;substantial&rdquo; number of refugees held in the detention camps of Papua New Guinea and the island of Nauru, Reuters reported. Many of the refugees are Muslims who have fled conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Trump&#39;s transition team, however, has not commented on the deal that was announced earlier this month.&nbsp;

The spokesperson for the US State Department, too, refused to provide the details on Turnbull&#39;s comments, but said that &ldquo;the United States had a longstanding programme of accepting refugees referred for resettlement by the UN refugee agency and would determine the size of in consultation with that agency&rdquo;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Asylum seeker&nbsp;deals

The resettlement deal was announced as a quid pro quo after the Australian government agreed to accept people from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as part of Australia&#39;s annual intake of 18,750 asylum seekers, thus helping the Central American refugees from Washington to resettle.&nbsp;

Analysts have, however, suggested that the timings of the deal, that came days before in the anticipation of Democrat Hillary Clinton winning the US presidency, might mean that the deal could be dashed. Trump, notorious&nbsp;for his anti-immigration stance, on Sunday said that he &nbsp;would deport up to three&nbsp;million illegal immigrants living in the US.&nbsp;

&quot;But by holding off and starting the process in the expectation that Hillary Clinton would win the US presidency, it gives Trump the ability to reject the deal,&rdquo; said Peter Chen, professor of political science, University of Sydney. Should Trump reject the deal, Turnbull would have to look for another country that would take the refugees, Reuters said.

Turnbull, however, expressed confidence in the new US administration standing by the deal, since it did not require any increase in the United States&#39; annual intake of asylum seekers, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump's anti-refugee comments during the election makes it uncertain if this already made US-Australia asylum seeker deal will be honoured

The deal struck between Australia and the outgoing Obama administration to relocate as many as 1,200 asylum seekers to the United States will begin after President-elect Donald Trump takes over the office in January 2017, Reuters reported Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as saying. Turnbull on Sunday said that the US had agreed to take “substantial” number of refugees held in the detention camps of Papua New Guinea and the island of Nauru, Reuters reported. Many of the refugees are Muslims who have fled conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Trump's transition team, however, has not commented on the deal that was announced earlier this month. The spokesperson for the US State Department, too, refused to provide the details on Turnbull's comments, but said that “the United States had a longstanding programme of accepting refugees referred for resettlement by the UN refugee agency and would determine the size of in consultation with that agency”. Asylum seeker deals The resettlement deal was announced as a quid pro quo after the Australian government agreed to accept people from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as part of Australia's annual intake of 18,750 asylum seekers, thus helping the Central American refugees from Washington to resettle. Analysts have, however, suggested that the timings of the deal, that came days before in the anticipation of Democrat Hillary Clinton winning the US presidency, might mean that the deal could be dashed. Trump, notorious for his anti-immigration stance, on Sunday said that he would deport up to three million illegal immigrants living in the US. "But by holding off and starting the process in the expectation that Hillary Clinton would win the US presidency, it gives Trump the ability to reject the deal,” said Peter Chen, professor of political science, University of Sydney. Should Trump reject the deal, Turnbull would have to look for another country that would take the refugees, Reuters said. Turnbull, however, expressed confidence in the new US administration standing by the deal, since it did not require any increase in the United States' annual intake of asylum seekers, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

After Trump takes office, about 1,200 asylum seekers to be resettled in US: Australian PM Turnbull

Australia is planning to impose a lifetime ban on refugees or asylum seekers coming to the country illegally via boats.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday announced that the Australian government is sending an &quot;absolutely, unflinching, unequivocal message&quot; that boat people will not be allowed to enter the country.&nbsp;

&quot;This is a battle of will between the Australian people, represented by its government, and the criminal gangs of people-smugglers,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;You should not underestimate the scale of the threat. These people-smugglers are the worst criminals imaginable. They have a multibillion-dollar business&quot;.

&quot;It is a critically important, strong message to send to the people smugglers, they must know that the door to Australia is closed to those who seek to come here by boat with a people smuggler. It is closed. We accept thousands of refugees and we do so willingly but we will not tolerate any repeat of people smuggling ventures which resulted in over 1,200 deaths at sea under the Labor party and 50,000 unauthorised arrivals,&quot;&nbsp;Reuters quoted Turnbull as saying.

However, children would be exempted from this amendment.&nbsp;

UNICEF has hit back at the proposal, calling it unreasonable and unnecessary.&nbsp;

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Media release: Government&rsquo;s lifetime refugee ban is not reasonable or necessary <a href="https://t.co/H4QivZGcM9">https://t.co/H4QivZGcM9</a>
&mdash; UNICEF Australia (@unicefaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicefaustralia/status/792616364020076550">October 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The government is looking to amend the Migration Act (1958) and will introduce the bill in the next Parliamentary sitting.&nbsp;

This is not the first time that the Australian government has tried to amend the Act.&nbsp;

In 2013, former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd had declared,&quot;As of today, asylum-seekers who come here by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia,&quot; AFP reported.&nbsp;

All refugees and asylum seekers are sent to the Pacific islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea&#39;s Manus for processing.&nbsp;

The new proposal will impact the people sent to these islands, including the ones who went back home or took asylum in a different country from July 19, 2013 onwards.&nbsp;

Save the Children, a refugee advocacy group has said this will alleviate&nbsp;the refugees&#39;&nbsp;trauma.&nbsp;

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Media release: Government&#39;s changes to Migration Act would permanently split families and condemn thousands to limbo <a href="https://t.co/tomoHKnNNy">https://t.co/tomoHKnNNy</a>
&mdash; HumanRightsLawCentre (@rightsagenda) <a href="https://twitter.com/rightsagenda/status/792549924097314817">October 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Mat Tinkler, the group&#39;s director of policy and public advocacy in Australia said, &quot;We have grave concerns that this kind of announcement will push people over the edge.&quot;

&quot;The government must act urgently to give hope to these people, not continue to take it away,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre lawyer, David Manne, said this proposal will punish genuine people, who are in need of asylum.&nbsp;

&quot;This does nothing to address that fundamental question about where they are going to be taken so that they can rebuild their lives in safety and with dignity,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Australia has granted refuge&nbsp;to 18,750 people in recent years&nbsp;from 13,750&nbsp;and has also agreed to take 12,000 people displaced from war-torn Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Australia will present the case for a lifetime visa ban on asylum seekers entering the country illegally by boat to the Parliament next week

Australia is planning to impose a lifetime ban on refugees or asylum seekers coming to the country illegally via boats. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday announced that the Australian government is sending an "absolutely, unflinching, unequivocal message" that boat people will not be allowed to enter the country. "This is a battle of will between the Australian people, represented by its government, and the criminal gangs of people-smugglers," he said. "You should not underestimate the scale of the threat. These people-smugglers are the worst criminals imaginable. They have a multibillion-dollar business". "It is a critically important, strong message to send to the people smugglers, they must know that the door to Australia is closed to those who seek to come here by boat with a people smuggler. It is closed. We accept thousands of refugees and we do so willingly but we will not tolerate any repeat of people smuggling ventures which resulted in over 1,200 deaths at sea under the Labor party and 50,000 unauthorised arrivals," Reuters quoted Turnbull as saying. However, children would be exempted from this amendment. UNICEF has hit back at the proposal, calling it unreasonable and unnecessary. Media release: Government’s lifetime refugee ban is not reasonable or necessary https://t.co/H4QivZGcM9 — UNICEF Australia (@unicefaustralia) October 30, 2016 × The government is looking to amend the Migration Act (1958) and will introduce the bill in the next Parliamentary sitting. This is not the first time that the Australian government has tried to amend the Act. In 2013, former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd had declared,"As of today, asylum-seekers who come here by boat without a visa will never be settled in Australia," AFP reported. All refugees and asylum seekers are sent to the Pacific islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus for processing. The new proposal will impact the people sent to these islands, including the ones who went back home or took asylum in a different country from July 19, 2013 onwards. Save the Children, a refugee advocacy group has said this will alleviate the refugees' trauma. Media release: Government's changes to Migration Act would permanently split families and condemn thousands to limbo https://t.co/tomoHKnNNy — HumanRightsLawCentre (@rightsagenda) October 30, 2016 × Mat Tinkler, the group's director of policy and public advocacy in Australia said, "We have grave concerns that this kind of announcement will push people over the edge." "The government must act urgently to give hope to these people, not continue to take it away," he added. Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre lawyer, David Manne, said this proposal will punish genuine people, who are in need of asylum. "This does nothing to address that fundamental question about where they are going to be taken so that they can rebuild their lives in safety and with dignity," he added. Australia has granted refuge to 18,750 people in recent years from 13,750 and has also agreed to take 12,000 people displaced from war-torn Syria and Iraq. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Australia refugee ban: Turnbull says gates closed for illegal boat entry

Australia on Tuesday rejected claims by rights group Amnesty International that conditions on a tiny South Pacific island where some 400 Australian-bound asylum seekers are held &quot;amount to torture&quot;.

In a detailed report titled Island of Despair, Amnesty alleged that many of the asylum seekers on Nauru are being driven to attempt suicide to escape the prison-like conditions they face in indefinite detention.

Under Australia&#39;s tough immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at a camp in Nauru or to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and are not eligible for resettlement in Australia.

&quot;I reject that claim totally. It is absolutely false,&quot; Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio of the torture claim. &quot;The Australian government&#39;s commitment is compassionate and strong.&quot;

Amnesty, which said its findings were based on both desk research and field work in Nauru between July and October, said the detention was a &quot;systematic regime of neglect and cruelty.&quot;

&quot;The conditions on Nauru,refugees&#39; severe mental anguish, the intentional nature of the system, and the fact that the goal of offshore processing is to intimidate or coerce people to achieve a specific outcome,amounts to torture,&quot; the report said.

The Nauru government did not respond directly to the Amnesty report but criticised an ABC TV story that made similar allegations and quoted children on Nauru, where refugees are mainly from Iran and Afghanistan.

&quot;It was clear these children were coached,&quot; the government said in a statement, adding the ABC report was &quot;biased political propaganda and lies, and was an insult to the people of Nauru.&quot;

Almost 60 people, or about 15 percent of the 410 men, women and children on the island, reported they had either attempted suicide or had thoughts about harming themselves, Amnesty said.&nbsp;

Despite receiving refugee status, they continue to be confined to poor accommodation with little access to medical care, Amnesty said, adding that children, who make up little more than a tenth of the number of detainees, suffer disproportionately.&nbsp;

&quot;I met children as young as nine who had already tried to kill themselves and were talking openly about ending their lives,&quot; said Anna Keistat, an Amnesty official.

Amnesty joins a chorus of criticism by human rights groups of Australia&#39;s immigration policy, and comes just weeks after the United Nations said Nauru was failing to protect children.&nbsp;

Turnbull&#39;s government has been trying to organise resettlement of the asylum seekers in other countries, but has so far only struck a deal with Cambodia that has proved unpopular with refugees.

Asked if he was in negotiations with the United States to take some of the detainees, Turnbull declined to comment but stressed that they would not be allowed to enter Australia.&nbsp;

&quot;If you seek to come to Australia with a people smuggler or you&#39;ve sought to come to Australia with a people smuggler, you will not settle in Australia,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Australia is also facing pressure over a second detention centre in Papua New Guinea that holds 823 men after that country&#39;s Supreme Court in April ordered its closure.

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

An Amnesty report had said many asylum seekers, who are detained and sent to Nauru, were considering suicide due to 'regime of cruelty'

Australia on Tuesday rejected claims by rights group Amnesty International that conditions on a tiny South Pacific island where some 400 Australian-bound asylum seekers are held "amount to torture". In a detailed report titled Island of Despair, Amnesty alleged that many of the asylum seekers on Nauru are being driven to attempt suicide to escape the prison-like conditions they face in indefinite detention. Under Australia's tough immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted trying to reach the country by boat are sent for processing at a camp in Nauru or to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and are not eligible for resettlement in Australia. "I reject that claim totally. It is absolutely false," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio of the torture claim. "The Australian government's commitment is compassionate and strong." Amnesty, which said its findings were based on both desk research and field work in Nauru between July and October, said the detention was a "systematic regime of neglect and cruelty." "The conditions on Nauru,refugees' severe mental anguish, the intentional nature of the system, and the fact that the goal of offshore processing is to intimidate or coerce people to achieve a specific outcome,amounts to torture," the report said. The Nauru government did not respond directly to the Amnesty report but criticised an ABC TV story that made similar allegations and quoted children on Nauru, where refugees are mainly from Iran and Afghanistan. "It was clear these children were coached," the government said in a statement, adding the ABC report was "biased political propaganda and lies, and was an insult to the people of Nauru." Almost 60 people, or about 15 percent of the 410 men, women and children on the island, reported they had either attempted suicide or had thoughts about harming themselves, Amnesty said. Despite receiving refugee status, they continue to be confined to poor accommodation with little access to medical care, Amnesty said, adding that children, who make up little more than a tenth of the number of detainees, suffer disproportionately. "I met children as young as nine who had already tried to kill themselves and were talking openly about ending their lives," said Anna Keistat, an Amnesty official. Amnesty joins a chorus of criticism by human rights groups of Australia's immigration policy, and comes just weeks after the United Nations said Nauru was failing to protect children. Turnbull's government has been trying to organise resettlement of the asylum seekers in other countries, but has so far only struck a deal with Cambodia that has proved unpopular with refugees. Asked if he was in negotiations with the United States to take some of the detainees, Turnbull declined to comment but stressed that they would not be allowed to enter Australia. "If you seek to come to Australia with a people smuggler or you've sought to come to Australia with a people smuggler, you will not settle in Australia," he said. Australia is also facing pressure over a second detention centre in Papua New Guinea that holds 823 men after that country's Supreme Court in April ordered its closure. (Reuters)

Australia denies report on asylum seekers being driven to kill selves

Kabul will commit to 're-admitting any Afghan citizen who has not been granted asylum in Europe'

The European Union (EU) has signed a deal with the Afghan government under which its member states will be allowed to deport an ‘unlimited number’ of asylum seekers from the country, the Guardian reported on Monday. According to the British daily, the deal was being worked upon for months, leading to a large EU-hosted donor conference in Brussels this week. Donors in the conference are expected to pledge about $3 billion a year for Afghanistan through 2020. Meanwhile, Guardian's report suggests that in a previously leaked memo, the EU hinted stripping Afghanistan of aid if its government did not cooperate. The deal was signed on Sunday and has not been made public but the Guardian reports that Kabul will commit to re-admitting any Afghan citizen who has not been granted asylum in Europe and those who do not want to go back voluntarily. The agreement called the 'Joint Way Forward' also opens up the deportation of women and children, which at the moment almost exclusively happens from Norway. “Special measures will ensure that such vulnerable groups receive adequate protection, assistance and care throughout the whole process.” If family members in Afghanistan cannot be located, unaccompanied children can be returned only with “adequate reception and caretaking arrangement having been put in place in Afghanistan”, the text of the agreement says, as per the report. (WION)

EU signs 'deal' with Kabul allowing member states to deport asylum seekers

Voting to elect a new government on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru began on Saturday, with international observers invited to monitor the polls for the first time in more than a decade after criticism over human rights in the world&#39;s smallest republic.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights last year urged Nauru to take action to improve its standing in a range of areas including freedom of expression, the independence of the judiciary and crackdowns on media access.

Nauru&#39;s government rejected the majority of the UN&nbsp;criticism.

There were 67 candidates vying for support from just under 8,000 registered voters for the 19 seats in parliament in Nauru, which lies about 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) northeast of Australia.

The island also hosts a controversial detention centre housing asylum seekers on behalf of Australia,&nbsp;its biggest foreign aid contributor. Under Australian law, anyone intercepted trying to reach the country by boat is sent for processing offshore.

The detention centre houses about 500 people and has been widely criticized by the United Nations and human rights agencies for harsh conditions and reports of systemic child abuse. 
 
Many staying there have self-harmed.&nbsp;Political instability has plagued Nauru, with reports of frequent government crackdown&#39;s on dissent.

The election is being monitored by international observers for the first time in 12 years including a team from The Commonwealth led by the former president of Kiribati Anote Tong, the government of Nauru said.

&quot;The success of these elections will depend on every individual playing their part to ensure the process is inclusive, transparent and peaceful,&quot; Tong said in a statement.

The Commonwealth observer team is expected to issue a report on the credibility of the elections before July 13.

(Reuters)

An international monitor will oversee elections in Nauru, known its widely-criticized detention centre for asylum seeke

Voting to elect a new government on the tiny Pacific island of Nauru began on Saturday, with international observers invited to monitor the polls for the first time in more than a decade after criticism over human rights in the world's smallest republic. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights last year urged Nauru to take action to improve its standing in a range of areas including freedom of expression, the independence of the judiciary and crackdowns on media access. Nauru's government rejected the majority of the UN criticism. There were 67 candidates vying for support from just under 8,000 registered voters for the 19 seats in parliament in Nauru, which lies about 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) northeast of Australia. The island also hosts a controversial detention centre housing asylum seekers on behalf of Australia, its biggest foreign aid contributor. Under Australian law, anyone intercepted trying to reach the country by boat is sent for processing offshore. The detention centre houses about 500 people and has been widely criticized by the United Nations and human rights agencies for harsh conditions and reports of systemic child abuse. Many staying there have self-harmed. Political instability has plagued Nauru, with reports of frequent government crackdown's on dissent. The election is being monitored by international observers for the first time in 12 years including a team from The Commonwealth led by the former president of Kiribati Anote Tong, the government of Nauru said. "The success of these elections will depend on every individual playing their part to ensure the process is inclusive, transparent and peaceful," Tong said in a statement. The Commonwealth observer team is expected to issue a report on the credibility of the elections before July 13. (Reuters)

Tiny Pacific island of Nauru goes to polls

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