<p>Kristi Noem, the newly appointed US Secretary of Homeland Security on Tuesday (Feb 18) warned illegal aliens, "We will hunt you down," as she announced a multimillion-dollar ad campaign aimed at dissuading illegal immigrants from entering the US.</p>
<p>In a video on social media platform X, Noem warned, "If you are thinking of entering America illegally, don't even think about it".</p>
<h2><strong>Weak leadership&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Noem began the one-minute video by thanking US President Donald Trump for "securing our border and putting America first."</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stick-to-catholic-church-trumps-border-czar-fires-back-at-pope-francis-over-immigration-criticism-8712179">'Stick to Catholic Church': Trump&rsquo;s border czar fires back at Pope Francis over immigration criticism</a></strong></p>
<p>She then delivers a message from "President Trump to the world" and warns people thinking of entering America illegally - "Don't even think about it".</p>
<p>Noem goes on to threaten immigrants who enter the US illegally and break laws, saying, "We will hunt you down". "Criminals are not welcome in the United States," she emphasised.</p>
<p>Trump's DHS Secretary then slams former US president Joe Biden. Without explicitly mentioning Biden's name, Noem states that "for too long weak leadership has left our borders wide open, flooding our communities with drugs, human trafficking and violent criminals".</p>
<p>"Well those days are over," she said, adding "Under President Trump, we're defending American families and restoring their safety".</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-plan-to-detain-30000-migrants-at-notorious-guantanamo-bay-military-prison-criminal-illegal-aliens-us-illegal-immigrants-8669651">Donald Trump unveils plan to detain 30,000 'criminal illegal aliens' at notorious Guantanamo Bay military prison</a></strong></p>
<p>"If you try to enter illegally, you will be removed and you will never return".</p>
<p>"Follow the law and you'll find opportunity if you break it you'll find consequences," she vowed, warning immigrants to not come to America illegally.</p>
<h2><strong>Trump's hardline anti-immigration stance</strong></h2>
<p>During his campaign, Donald Trump would frequently demonise immigrants, calling them "illegal aliens," and blaming them for the crimes in the USA. Since becoming president, he has passed the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, and also expands mandatory detention to include offences causing death or serious bodily injury.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/laken-riley-act-us-congress-passes-trump-crackdown-on-migrant-criminals-and-suspects-8645556">Laken Riley Act: US Congress passes Trump's hardline immigration crackdown bill</a></strong></p>
<p>He also unveiled a controversial plan to detain up to 30,000 undocumented migrants at Guant&aacute;namo Bay, a notorious United States military prison used to hold terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World News | Kristi Noem's video message warns potential illegal immigrants against entering the US, highlighting a firm stance on border security and legal consequences.

Kristi Noem, the newly appointed US Secretary of Homeland Security on Tuesday (Feb 18) warned illegal aliens, "We will hunt you down," as she announced a multimillion-dollar ad campaign aimed at dissuading illegal immigrants from entering the US. In a video on social media platform X, Noem warned, "If you are thinking of entering America illegally, don't even think about it". Weak leadership Noem began the one-minute video by thanking US President Donald Trump for "securing our border and putting America first." Also read | 'Stick to Catholic Church': Trump’s border czar fires back at Pope Francis over immigration criticism She then delivers a message from "President Trump to the world" and warns people thinking of entering America illegally - "Don't even think about it". Noem goes on to threaten immigrants who enter the US illegally and break laws, saying, "We will hunt you down". "Criminals are not welcome in the United States," she emphasised. Trump's DHS Secretary then slams former US president Joe Biden. Without explicitly mentioning Biden's name, Noem states that "for too long weak leadership has left our borders wide open, flooding our communities with drugs, human trafficking and violent criminals". "Well those days are over," she said, adding "Under President Trump, we're defending American families and restoring their safety". Also read | Donald Trump unveils plan to detain 30,000 'criminal illegal aliens' at notorious Guantanamo Bay military prison "If you try to enter illegally, you will be removed and you will never return". "Follow the law and you'll find opportunity if you break it you'll find consequences," she vowed, warning immigrants to not come to America illegally. Trump's hardline anti-immigration stance During his campaign, Donald Trump would frequently demonise immigrants, calling them "illegal aliens," and blaming them for the crimes in the USA. Since becoming president, he has passed the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, and also expands mandatory detention to include offences causing death or serious bodily injury. Also read | Laken Riley Act: US Congress passes Trump's hardline immigration crackdown bill He also unveiled a controversial plan to detain up to 30,000 undocumented migrants at Guantánamo Bay, a notorious United States military prison used to hold terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

US DHS Kristi Noem announces multimillion-dollar ad campaign targeting immigrants

<p>In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The deal announced on Wednesday will allow the US to send some Venezuelan nationals to Mexico while granting humanitarian access to others. Starting October 12 several flights will be arranged for at least 24,000 migrants to arrive in Washington and stay for up to two years, said the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way…Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future.” said the US secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-court-orders-review-of-obama-era-dreamers-immigration-program-522978">US court orders review of Obama-era 'Dreamers' immigration programme</a></p>

<p>According to reports, more than six million Venezuelans have fled their country in the last five years. This comes amid food, fuel and medicine shortages and increased violence and repression by the country’s President Nicolás Maduro and his government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The agreement is based on the Uniting for Ukraine programme, under which following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people from Kyiv could enter Washington by securing a sponsor. This sponsor could be a person or an organisation based in the US and back up their claim that they are in fact a part of the programme, said the media reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, Mexico has agreed to “temporarily” allow some Venezuelan nationals to enter the country but did not specify the number. Reports suggest that officials in Mexico have argued that economic sanctions against Maduro’s government are fueling illegal immigration and should be eased.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-aims-to-rebuild-and-expand-legal-immigration-388574">Biden aims to rebuild and expand legal immigration</a></p>

<p>Mexico’s government has also reportedly said that those seeking to apply for the US new programme must not enter through the US-Mexico border. Furthermore, at Mexico’s request Washington has also agreed to provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to migrants for non-agricultural jobs out of which 20,000 will be allocated to Central Americans and Haitians, said a media report.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes ahead of the mid-term elections where US president Joe Biden’s government has struggled to deal with the increase in migrant detentions at the country’s southwest border, due to the uptick in people coming in from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, said media reports. Meanwhile, his opposition, the Republican party has criticised his government for what they claim is Biden’s failure to secure the border.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports.

In a joint statement, the United States and Mexico indicated that they have reached an agreement on a plan to curb Venezuelan migration. This move is made in a bid to ease some of the pressure on the border that the two countries share which has recently witnessed an uptick in the number of migrants from the crisis-hit country, said reports. The deal announced on Wednesday will allow the US to send some Venezuelan nationals to Mexico while granting humanitarian access to others. Starting October 12 several flights will be arranged for at least 24,000 migrants to arrive in Washington and stay for up to two years, said the statement. “These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way…Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future.” said the US secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in a statement. ALSO READ: US court orders review of Obama-era 'Dreamers' immigration programme According to reports, more than six million Venezuelans have fled their country in the last five years. This comes amid food, fuel and medicine shortages and increased violence and repression by the country’s President Nicolás Maduro and his government. The agreement is based on the Uniting for Ukraine programme, under which following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, people from Kyiv could enter Washington by securing a sponsor. This sponsor could be a person or an organisation based in the US and back up their claim that they are in fact a part of the programme, said the media reports. On the other hand, Mexico has agreed to “temporarily” allow some Venezuelan nationals to enter the country but did not specify the number. Reports suggest that officials in Mexico have argued that economic sanctions against Maduro’s government are fueling illegal immigration and should be eased. ALSO READ: Biden aims to rebuild and expand legal immigration Mexico’s government has also reportedly said that those seeking to apply for the US new programme must not enter through the US-Mexico border. Furthermore, at Mexico’s request Washington has also agreed to provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to migrants for non-agricultural jobs out of which 20,000 will be allocated to Central Americans and Haitians, said a media report. This comes ahead of the mid-term elections where US president Joe Biden’s government has struggled to deal with the increase in migrant detentions at the country’s southwest border, due to the uptick in people coming in from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, said media reports. Meanwhile, his opposition, the Republican party has criticised his government for what they claim is Biden’s failure to secure the border. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US, Mexico reach an agreement to ease Venezuelan migration

<p>The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US&nbsp;court hearings, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/immigration-hawk-promoted-to-us-homeland-security-acting-deputy-262013">Department of Homeland Security</a> said on Thursday.</p>

<p>Washington already has sent more than 56,000 migrants to Mexico under the program, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The majority have been Central Americans applying for US asylum.</p>

<p>The effort — which had been implemented over the past year at ports of entry in Texas and California — will be applied at a port of entry south of Tucson, Ariz. Previously, migrants encountered in that area had been sent to El Paso, Texas, to process their return to Mexico.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-a-man-of-his-word-on-denuclearization-donald-trump-271377">President Donald Trump</a> has made immigration enforcement a major focus of his first term in office and has continued to press the issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.</p>

<p>Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a written statement on Thursday that the MPP program has been "an extremely effective tool" for the United States.</p>

<p>Advocates counter that the initiative exposes migrants to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-cabinet-opposed-mexican-cartel-policy-trump-forged-ahead-270508">violence in Mexico</a> and restricts their ability to seek protection in the United States. The US&nbsp;consulate in Mexico’s border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions.</p>

<p>Mexico’s asylum agency, known as COMAR, said on Wednesday that it had received 66,915 applications for asylum in 2019, up nearly 126 per cent&nbsp;from the previous year.</p>

<p>The agency has struggled to process the crush of applications with limited resources. COMAR received 20 million pesos ($1.05 million) in funding from the Mexican government in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years.</p>

<p>In December, US&nbsp;border authorities expanded a separate program to process asylum cases rapidly to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, according to CBS News. The programme, known as Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR), had been launched months earlier as a pilot in the El Paso area.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;authorities have not specified the criteria to place migrants in a growing array of border programs, which include MPP, PACR and another initiative that sends asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to request protection in Guatemala.</p>

<p>Rodney Scott, acting deputy chief of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-citizen-dead-in-us-custody-ice-271529">US&nbsp;Border Patrol</a>, told reporters in December that the factors "change on a daily basis" but are determined in coordination with the receiving countries.</p>


The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US court hearings, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday.

The United States will expand the scope of a program that returns non-Mexican migrants crossing Mexico's border to that country to await their US court hearings, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday. Washington already has sent more than 56,000 migrants to Mexico under the program, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The majority have been Central Americans applying for US asylum. The effort — which had been implemented over the past year at ports of entry in Texas and California — will be applied at a port of entry south of Tucson, Ariz. Previously, migrants encountered in that area had been sent to El Paso, Texas, to process their return to Mexico. US President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a major focus of his first term in office and has continued to press the issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a written statement on Thursday that the MPP program has been "an extremely effective tool" for the United States. Advocates counter that the initiative exposes migrants to violence in Mexico and restricts their ability to seek protection in the United States. The US consulate in Mexico’s border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions. Mexico’s asylum agency, known as COMAR, said on Wednesday that it had received 66,915 applications for asylum in 2019, up nearly 126 per cent from the previous year. The agency has struggled to process the crush of applications with limited resources. COMAR received 20 million pesos ($1.05 million) in funding from the Mexican government in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years. In December, US border authorities expanded a separate program to process asylum cases rapidly to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, according to CBS News. The programme, known as Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR), had been launched months earlier as a pilot in the El Paso area. US authorities have not specified the criteria to place migrants in a growing array of border programs, which include MPP, PACR and another initiative that sends asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to request protection in Guatemala. Rodney Scott, acting deputy chief of the US Border Patrol, told reporters in December that the factors "change on a daily basis" but are determined in coordination with the receiving countries.

US to expand scope of program to return migrants to Mexico: Department of Homeland Security

<p>A French citizen and native of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-to-visit-angola-de-mining-project-in-dianas-footsteps-252301">Angola</a> has died in the custody of US immigration agents, they said on Wednesday, the latest in a number of deaths during a US crackdown on illegal immigrants.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A statement from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-largest-immigration-raid-us-authorities-arrest-680-workers-at-mississippi-241598">Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a> (ICE) identified the person only as "a 40-year-old native of Angola and citizen of France."</p>

<p><strong>Also Watch: Fineprint: Angolan court freezes assets of Africa's richest woman</strong></p>

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<p>They said the person died on Sunday at a hospital in Albuquerque, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-mexico-opens-state-migrant-shelter-criticizes-federal-inaction-215057">New Mexico</a>.</p>

<p>"An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death," ICE said, adding that French consular officials have been notified and "are attempting to locate the next of kin."</p>

<p>A French embassy spokeswoman said she could not elaborate "at this stage," beyond what is in the ICE statement</p>

<p>The death follows that of Nebane Abienwi, 37, of Cameroon, who ICE said died in its custody in San Diego, California in October after a brain haemorrhage.</p>

<p>Later that month a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cuba-manuel-merrero-becomes-prime-minister-40-years-after-fidel-castro-269513">Cuban</a>, Roylan Hernandez-Diaz, 53, died of an apparent suicide while in ICE custody in Louisiana, the agency said.</p>

<p>Between December 2018 and May 2019, five children from Guatemala died in detention after their apprehension by US border officers.</p>

<p>Clamping down on both legal and illegal immigration has been a central platform of US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-a-man-of-his-word-on-denuclearization-donald-trump-271377">President Donald Trump</a>'s administration.</p>

<p>He has implemented numerous measures to curb a sharp increase in people crossing over the southern US border which overwhelmed the immigration system, but several of his&nbsp;policies on migrants have been blocked in court and sparked controversy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-end-year-with-multiple-protests-kick-off-2020-with-big-march-271045">Human Rights Watch</a> said the death of Hernandez-Diaz raised "disturbing questions about a system we know has failed to protect asylum seekers and other immigrants in its care over and over again."</p>


A French citizen and native of Angola has died in the custody of US immigration agents, they said on Wednesday, the latest in a number of deaths during a US crackdown on illegal immigrants.

A French citizen and native of Angola has died in the custody of US immigration agents, they said on Wednesday, the latest in a number of deaths during a US crackdown on illegal immigrants. A statement from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identified the person only as "a 40-year-old native of Angola and citizen of France." Also Watch: Fineprint: Angolan court freezes assets of Africa's richest woman × They said the person died on Sunday at a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death," ICE said, adding that French consular officials have been notified and "are attempting to locate the next of kin." A French embassy spokeswoman said she could not elaborate "at this stage," beyond what is in the ICE statement The death follows that of Nebane Abienwi, 37, of Cameroon, who ICE said died in its custody in San Diego, California in October after a brain haemorrhage. Later that month a Cuban, Roylan Hernandez-Diaz, 53, died of an apparent suicide while in ICE custody in Louisiana, the agency said. Between December 2018 and May 2019, five children from Guatemala died in detention after their apprehension by US border officers. Clamping down on both legal and illegal immigration has been a central platform of US President Donald Trump's administration. He has implemented numerous measures to curb a sharp increase in people crossing over the southern US border which overwhelmed the immigration system, but several of his policies on migrants have been blocked in court and sparked controversy. Human Rights Watch said the death of Hernandez-Diaz raised "disturbing questions about a system we know has failed to protect asylum seekers and other immigrants in its care over and over again."

French citizen from Angola dies in US immigration custody

<p>Grappling with a ballooning number of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-migrants-form-caravan-in-honduras-to-head-for-the-us-209346&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwihrqzl2NvhAhVP7HMBHQjuCJMQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw22mt-osXCI2yOFh3q0ja7P">migrants at the US</a> southern border, President<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-floats-idea-white-house-studying-plan-to-send-migrants-to-sanctuary-cities-210417&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwihrqzl2NvhAhVP7HMBHQjuCJMQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Zei5TQcCQw_fRP0j8i5eT"> Donald Trump</a> has suggested increasingly bold steps to fulfil his signature campaign pledge to stem illegal immigration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Yet many of his administration`s ideas have been hindered by legal, practical and political obstacles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the flow of migrants seeking asylum or a better life in the United States continues to swell.</p>

<p>By March, the number of illegal entrants into the country had surged to the highest level in more than a decade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the acting director of the US Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan visited the Texas border to underscore the administration`s concerns about a growing crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed Thursday that the agency would set up two temporary tent facilities in Texas to process migrants, each with a capacity to hold up to 500 people.</p>

<p>Such camps have been criticized by Congress members for holding migrants too long and not providing adequate places to sleep or shower.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The president, whose statements and tweets suggest a rising level of frustration, recently cleaned house at the Department of Homeland Security, firing Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and several other high-ranking staff. He has vowed to move in a "tougher direction."&nbsp;</p>

<p>But a look at several significant Trump Administration ideas or policies shows the difficulty the president faces in trying to reverse the tide of migration, which today is largely driven by poverty, corruption, crime and other factors in Central America.</p>

<p>Some examples of administration proposals or policies that have run, or may run, into trouble:</p>

<p><strong>Detain asylum seekers indefinitely</strong></p>

<p>US Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday issued a ruling that allows asylum seekers who cross the border illegally to be held without bond as they challenge their deportation – a decision affecting perhaps tens of thousands of migrants. It was the latest move by top justice officials seeking to reshape legal precedent in the country`s US immigration courts.</p>

<p>Rights groups have already threatened to sue over the measure - which goes into effect in 90 days - and as a practical matter, additional detention space would be needed, requiring funding from Congress. Until that happens, many migrants are likely to continue to be released with an order to appear in court.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Send immigrants to sanctuary cities</strong></p>

<p>Earlier this month, Trump proposed sending "an unlimited supply" of immigrants who are fighting deportation to so-called sanctuaries - the hundreds of cities, counties and states where law enforcement limits its cooperation with Trump`s crackdown on immigrants living in the country illegally.</p>

<p>Immigration experts said it would be costly to transport migrants from the border and would require shifting funds from Border Patrol and other operations.</p>

<p>In addition, the migrants would be free to move elsewhere once released.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Close the border with Mexico</strong></p>

<p>The administration recently backed off a threat to shut the southern border, one of the busiest in the world, amid opposition from Democrats as well as often Republican-friendly business groups. The US Chamber of Commerce called the idea an "economic calamity."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Make asylum seekers wait in Mexico</strong></p>

<p>One of the boldest proposals by the Trump administration has been to tap a little-used clause in immigration law to send hundreds of migrants who ask for asylum in the United States back to border towns in Mexico to wait months - or potentially years - for their cases to be resolved in US courts.</p>

<p>Local Mexican officials say their towns are already overwhelmed with migrants who have nowhere to live and few job prospects, while immigration advocates say those who are stuck in Mexico often have trouble finding lawyers and receiving proper notice for their US hearings.</p>

<p>A federal judge ordered a halt to the policy but an appeals court said it could continue while the administration appeals.</p>

<p><strong>Detain migrant children</strong></p>

<p>The current wave of migrants includes many more families, as opposed to the single men who flocked north in the past.</p>

<p>That has caused the administration to take another look at a 1997 agreement, known as the Flores settlement, that strictly limits the detention of children.</p>

<p>The administration has said repeatedly that t wants to scrap the legal deal and propose new regulations.</p>

<p>It is unclear where - and with what funding - the government would detain the youngsters. Legal challenges to this proposal have been in the works from the moment it was announced.&nbsp;</p>


Grappling with a ballooning number of migrants at the US southern border, President Donald Trump has suggested increasingly bold steps to fulfil his signature campaign pledge to stem illegal immigration.

Grappling with a ballooning number of migrants at the US southern border, President Donald Trump has suggested increasingly bold steps to fulfil his signature campaign pledge to stem illegal immigration. Yet many of his administration`s ideas have been hindered by legal, practical and political obstacles. Meanwhile, the flow of migrants seeking asylum or a better life in the United States continues to swell. By March, the number of illegal entrants into the country had surged to the highest level in more than a decade. On Wednesday, the acting director of the US Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan visited the Texas border to underscore the administration`s concerns about a growing crisis. The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed Thursday that the agency would set up two temporary tent facilities in Texas to process migrants, each with a capacity to hold up to 500 people. Such camps have been criticized by Congress members for holding migrants too long and not providing adequate places to sleep or shower. The president, whose statements and tweets suggest a rising level of frustration, recently cleaned house at the Department of Homeland Security, firing Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and several other high-ranking staff. He has vowed to move in a "tougher direction." But a look at several significant Trump Administration ideas or policies shows the difficulty the president faces in trying to reverse the tide of migration, which today is largely driven by poverty, corruption, crime and other factors in Central America. Some examples of administration proposals or policies that have run, or may run, into trouble: Detain asylum seekers indefinitely US Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday issued a ruling that allows asylum seekers who cross the border illegally to be held without bond as they challenge their deportation – a decision affecting perhaps tens of thousands of migrants. It was the latest move by top justice officials seeking to reshape legal precedent in the country`s US immigration courts. Rights groups have already threatened to sue over the measure - which goes into effect in 90 days - and as a practical matter, additional detention space would be needed, requiring funding from Congress. Until that happens, many migrants are likely to continue to be released with an order to appear in court. Send immigrants to sanctuary cities Earlier this month, Trump proposed sending "an unlimited supply" of immigrants who are fighting deportation to so-called sanctuaries - the hundreds of cities, counties and states where law enforcement limits its cooperation with Trump`s crackdown on immigrants living in the country illegally. Immigration experts said it would be costly to transport migrants from the border and would require shifting funds from Border Patrol and other operations. In addition, the migrants would be free to move elsewhere once released. Close the border with Mexico The administration recently backed off a threat to shut the southern border, one of the busiest in the world, amid opposition from Democrats as well as often Republican-friendly business groups. The US Chamber of Commerce called the idea an "economic calamity." Make asylum seekers wait in Mexico One of the boldest proposals by the Trump administration has been to tap a little-used clause in immigration law to send hundreds of migrants who ask for asylum in the United States back to border towns in Mexico to wait months - or potentially years - for their cases to be resolved in US courts. Local Mexican officials say their towns are already overwhelmed with migrants who have nowhere to live and few job prospects, while immigration advocates say those who are stuck in Mexico often have trouble finding lawyers and receiving proper notice for their US hearings. A federal judge ordered a halt to the policy but an appeals court said it could continue while the administration appeals. Detain migrant children The current wave of migrants includes many more families, as opposed to the single men who flocked north in the past. That has caused the administration to take another look at a 1997 agreement, known as the Flores settlement, that strictly limits the detention of children. The administration has said repeatedly that t wants to scrap the legal deal and propose new regulations. It is unclear where - and with what funding - the government would detain the youngsters. Legal challenges to this proposal have been in the works from the moment it was announced.

Explainer: Five ways Trump's moves to stem border surge have hit hurdles

<p>The world often wondered, how did Donald Trump win the US election. Well, he won through bullshitting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tired, scared and struggling from job loss, declining wages and endless military engagement in the Middle East, the American citizens bought into Trump&rsquo;s endless bullshit on illegal immigration. Courtesy the rhetoric used during the election campaign, America&rsquo;s economic revival suddenly became contingent on issues related to immigration. Migrants, legal or otherwise, Trump argued, is taking away jobs of Americans. It is the economic rights of Americans he professed to protect, and pleaded votes based on the claim.</p>

<p>It is about time that we decode the presidential bullshit on immigrants and their role (or lack of it) in the American life. Of course, by now as protestations flowed from the IT sector, Trump has learned to hammer down only on illegal immigrants, blaming them for all of the country&rsquo;s ills, from crime to depleted national resources. As far as foreign professionals are concerned, the president sounds more welcoming. Beneath the differential approach, however, lurks a greater danger: the President is cooking up a binary between illegal immigrants and merit-based immigration. As if the immigrant communities in the US can be divided into these two groups only.&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>The President does not say how these family-based immigrant groups would fare in his fight against illegal entry and his preference for merit-based immigration.</h5>
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<p>Trump does not come out in the open to say what his government&rsquo;s position will be on family-based immigration, which constitutes by far the majority among those getting immigrant visas. The President does not say how these family-based immigrant groups would fare in his fight against illegal entry and his preference for merit-based immigration. Family-based immigration, as per the law of the land, is not contingent upon merit but is based on family ties. The US government allows 2, 26, 000 Family Preference Immigrant visas and an unlimited number of Immediate Relative &amp; Family Sponsored visas each year. These forms of immigration are not illegal but with the President prioritising only on merit, there is nothing yet on what he proposed to do with these two categories.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A large section of the media is also buying into the President&rsquo;s false concocted binaries without pointing out that merit-based immigration and illegal immigration are two separate issues. They operate through separate channels, involve different demographics and involve completely different job descriptions. Stopping illegal immigration will not necessarily mean that merit-based immigration will increase in the US. A whole set of measures has to be taken to achieve that goal, not to mention sweeping immigration reforms. And, it is still not clear how is merit-based immigration compatible with Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;hire Americans&rdquo; motto.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump&rsquo;s policies, particularly, his immigration policies are replete with such contradictions. The President is short of lying but in keeping the contradiction unresolved, he is bullshitting his country, that is, in traversing the twilight zone between truth and false information, President Trump continues to make unsubstantiated statements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump&rsquo;s rant against illegal immigrants has no basis in the reality of the immigration scenario in the US. America does have millions of illegal immigrants living in the country. In fact, with Russia and India, United States counts as the top destination for immigrants who have crossed over illegally. But having said that, unauthorised immigrants represented 3.4 per cent of the total U.S. population in 2015 and it has undergone a small but statistically significant decline since 2009 when there were 11 million illegal immigrants in the US.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>In all other industries and forms of occupation, President Trump should know, illegal immigrants&nbsp;are outnumbered by U.S.-born workers</h5>
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<p>To claim that these illegal immigrants are taking away the jobs of the American citizens or claiming state benefits, shows a lack of connection to ground reality. These illegal immigrants are mostly employed in the farming and construction sectors. In all other industries and forms of occupation, President Trump should know, illegal immigrants&nbsp;are outnumbered by U.S.-born workers. Moreover, as illegal aliens, these immigrants receive no benefits from the government. Even if we set aside the humanitarian aspect of illegal immigration as to what forces individuals to leave their homeland for unknown places, there are numbers that the president ignores to garner mass support for his immigration policy. It is for time to tell how long the world and, more particularly, his own countrymen allow him to go on bullshitting on the impact of illegal immigration on the realisation of the American dream.&nbsp;</p>

<p>President Trump is particularly fond of musing over lost American greatness and how he plans to revive it. Though the &ldquo;America First&rdquo; movement is fast gaining steam in the US, Trump balances it with his claims to initiate merit-based immigration in the country. Courtesy the hullabaloo he has successfully created, we have largely forgotten that the US always have had merit-based immigration.The 90,000 strong individuals who go to work in the US with an H1B visa get through because they have the merit. Huge multi-national corporations hire employees from all over the world and spend millions of dollars on them to send them to the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Let&rsquo;s not define merit here in terms abstract superior intellect. In countries following merit-based immigration system, points are awarded based on your last degree. In the US, degree matters but more importantly, the immigration office grants entry based on whether the individual has been able to secure a job in the US market commensurate with his/her degree.&nbsp;</p>

<p>H1B visa holders come with at least a university degree and sometimes even with a Ph.D. Without a job offer from a reputable, well-established and registered company in the US, it is impossible to get an H1B visa. In the long tedious process of H1B visa application and during the visa interview too, one has to prove, as per the visa regulation, the job falls into the category of &quot;specialty occupation&quot; and not just any job. That means one cannot get an H1B visa from India to work as a secretary in any office, or be a bartender, or be a professional driver. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump professes that he wants meritorious people to come to work in the US. But action speaks louder than words. President Trump has not done anything so far which would prove he is serious to retain talent from overseas. Far from increasing the annual &ldquo;cap&rdquo; of H1B visa, Trump is yet to implement Obama administration&rsquo;s proposal to increase the &ldquo;cap exempt&rdquo; category for non-profit hospitals, as well as educational and research institutions. Most meritorious professionals in the US who work in research and academic institutions fall in this cap. Many of the corporations could use this &ldquo;cap exempt&rdquo; category to hire bright professionals, irrespective of their national origin.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>But aside from the mindless chatter about attracting talents to build a new America which, incidentally, completely contradicts &ldquo;hire American&rdquo; policy, another crucial mistake that the Trump administration is committing is to make salary the basis of judging merit.</h5>
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<p>But aside from the mindless chatter about attracting talents to build a new America which, incidentally, completely contradicts &ldquo;hire American&rdquo; policy, another crucial mistake that the Trump administration is committing is to make salary the basis of judging merit. The High Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act, introduced by Congressperson Zoe Lofgren of California, would raise H-1B holders&#39; minimum salaries to the US $130,000. Doing this would mean, losing out a significant number of talents in the field that are crucial but not well-paid. For instance, the average salary of a fire protection and fuel engineer is $130,000 and $123,000 respectively. Whereas a computer engineer on an average earns $121,245&nbsp; and healthcare facility engineer gets $120,027.</p>

<p>Under the circumstance, Asian countries, particularly India and China which have been supplying the largest number of IT professionals to the US, are all poised to lose significantly. The Indian government knows this perfectly. In meeting with the US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross, India&rsquo;s Finance minister Arun Jaitley raised India&rsquo;s concerns over the Trump administration&rsquo;s move to tighten the H-1B visa regime. The main concern of the minister in alignment with IT industry has been that most Indian professionals, who go to the USA with an H1B visa, stay there for a short term. Under the circumstance, they can never match the $130,000 proposed salary ceiling.</p>

<p>Contradictions and ambiguities replete Trump&rsquo;s immigration policy but he is yet to face stiff opposition on that count. The reason he is getting away with this is, people do not see how the President of United States is operating in the twilight zone; in matters of immigration policy, at least, Trump is not lying but he is not telling the truth either. Rather, he very cleverly waits for his audience to interpret his message according to their conviction. So, if one thinks Mexicans are taking away American jobs, the person will support the &ldquo;Wall&rdquo;; on the other hand, if one thinks, in a free-market economy, the state can&rsquo;t control employment, they will support Trump&rsquo;s merit-based immigration policy. It is because of this fragmented approach that Trump is walking away victorious.</p>

<p>Thus, only a holistic approach with eyes open to the ground reality will ensure that the President does not get away with bullshitting the American citizens and world population at large.</p>


It is about time that we decode the presidential bullshit on immigrants and their role (or lack of it) in the American life.

The world often wondered, how did Donald Trump win the US election. Well, he won through bullshitting. Tired, scared and struggling from job loss, declining wages and endless military engagement in the Middle East, the American citizens bought into Trump’s endless bullshit on illegal immigration. Courtesy the rhetoric used during the election campaign, America’s economic revival suddenly became contingent on issues related to immigration. Migrants, legal or otherwise, Trump argued, is taking away jobs of Americans. It is the economic rights of Americans he professed to protect, and pleaded votes based on the claim. It is about time that we decode the presidential bullshit on immigrants and their role (or lack of it) in the American life. Of course, by now as protestations flowed from the IT sector, Trump has learned to hammer down only on illegal immigrants, blaming them for all of the country’s ills, from crime to depleted national resources. As far as foreign professionals are concerned, the president sounds more welcoming. Beneath the differential approach, however, lurks a greater danger: the President is cooking up a binary between illegal immigrants and merit-based immigration. As if the immigrant communities in the US can be divided into these two groups only. The President does not say how these family-based immigrant groups would fare in his fight against illegal entry and his preference for merit-based immigration. × Trump does not come out in the open to say what his government’s position will be on family-based immigration, which constitutes by far the majority among those getting immigrant visas. The President does not say how these family-based immigrant groups would fare in his fight against illegal entry and his preference for merit-based immigration. Family-based immigration, as per the law of the land, is not contingent upon merit but is based on family ties. The US government allows 2, 26, 000 Family Preference Immigrant visas and an unlimited number of Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored visas each year. These forms of immigration are not illegal but with the President prioritising only on merit, there is nothing yet on what he proposed to do with these two categories. A large section of the media is also buying into the President’s false concocted binaries without pointing out that merit-based immigration and illegal immigration are two separate issues. They operate through separate channels, involve different demographics and involve completely different job descriptions. Stopping illegal immigration will not necessarily mean that merit-based immigration will increase in the US. A whole set of measures has to be taken to achieve that goal, not to mention sweeping immigration reforms. And, it is still not clear how is merit-based immigration compatible with Trump’s “hire Americans” motto. Trump’s policies, particularly, his immigration policies are replete with such contradictions. The President is short of lying but in keeping the contradiction unresolved, he is bullshitting his country, that is, in traversing the twilight zone between truth and false information, President Trump continues to make unsubstantiated statements. Trump’s rant against illegal immigrants has no basis in the reality of the immigration scenario in the US. America does have millions of illegal immigrants living in the country. In fact, with Russia and India, United States counts as the top destination for immigrants who have crossed over illegally. But having said that, unauthorised immigrants represented 3.4 per cent of the total U.S. population in 2015 and it has undergone a small but statistically significant decline since 2009 when there were 11 million illegal immigrants in the US. In all other industries and forms of occupation, President Trump should know, illegal immigrants are outnumbered by U.S.-born workers × To claim that these illegal immigrants are taking away the jobs of the American citizens or claiming state benefits, shows a lack of connection to ground reality. These illegal immigrants are mostly employed in the farming and construction sectors. In all other industries and forms of occupation, President Trump should know, illegal immigrants are outnumbered by U.S.-born workers. Moreover, as illegal aliens, these immigrants receive no benefits from the government. Even if we set aside the humanitarian aspect of illegal immigration as to what forces individuals to leave their homeland for unknown places, there are numbers that the president ignores to garner mass support for his immigration policy. It is for time to tell how long the world and, more particularly, his own countrymen allow him to go on bullshitting on the impact of illegal immigration on the realisation of the American dream. President Trump is particularly fond of musing over lost American greatness and how he plans to revive it. Though the “America First” movement is fast gaining steam in the US, Trump balances it with his claims to initiate merit-based immigration in the country. Courtesy the hullabaloo he has successfully created, we have largely forgotten that the US always have had merit-based immigration.The 90,000 strong individuals who go to work in the US with an H1B visa get through because they have the merit. Huge multi-national corporations hire employees from all over the world and spend millions of dollars on them to send them to the US. Let’s not define merit here in terms abstract superior intellect. In countries following merit-based immigration system, points are awarded based on your last degree. In the US, degree matters but more importantly, the immigration office grants entry based on whether the individual has been able to secure a job in the US market commensurate with his/her degree. H1B visa holders come with at least a university degree and sometimes even with a Ph.D. Without a job offer from a reputable, well-established and registered company in the US, it is impossible to get an H1B visa. In the long tedious process of H1B visa application and during the visa interview too, one has to prove, as per the visa regulation, the job falls into the category of "specialty occupation" and not just any job. That means one cannot get an H1B visa from India to work as a secretary in any office, or be a bartender, or be a professional driver. Trump professes that he wants meritorious people to come to work in the US. But action speaks louder than words. President Trump has not done anything so far which would prove he is serious to retain talent from overseas. Far from increasing the annual “cap” of H1B visa, Trump is yet to implement Obama administration’s proposal to increase the “cap exempt” category for non-profit hospitals, as well as educational and research institutions. Most meritorious professionals in the US who work in research and academic institutions fall in this cap. Many of the corporations could use this “cap exempt” category to hire bright professionals, irrespective of their national origin. But aside from the mindless chatter about attracting talents to build a new America which, incidentally, completely contradicts “hire American” policy, another crucial mistake that the Trump administration is committing is to make salary the basis of judging merit. × But aside from the mindless chatter about attracting talents to build a new America which, incidentally, completely contradicts “hire American” policy, another crucial mistake that the Trump administration is committing is to make salary the basis of judging merit. The High Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act, introduced by Congressperson Zoe Lofgren of California, would raise H-1B holders' minimum salaries to the US $130,000. Doing this would mean, losing out a significant number of talents in the field that are crucial but not well-paid. For instance, the average salary of a fire protection and fuel engineer is $130,000 and $123,000 respectively. Whereas a computer engineer on an average earns $121,245 and healthcare facility engineer gets $120,027. Under the circumstance, Asian countries, particularly India and China which have been supplying the largest number of IT professionals to the US, are all poised to lose significantly. The Indian government knows this perfectly. In meeting with the US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross, India’s Finance minister Arun Jaitley raised India’s concerns over the Trump administration’s move to tighten the H-1B visa regime. The main concern of the minister in alignment with IT industry has been that most Indian professionals, who go to the USA with an H1B visa, stay there for a short term. Under the circumstance, they can never match the $130,000 proposed salary ceiling. Contradictions and ambiguities replete Trump’s immigration policy but he is yet to face stiff opposition on that count. The reason he is getting away with this is, people do not see how the President of United States is operating in the twilight zone; in matters of immigration policy, at least, Trump is not lying but he is not telling the truth either. Rather, he very cleverly waits for his audience to interpret his message according to their conviction. So, if one thinks Mexicans are taking away American jobs, the person will support the “Wall”; on the other hand, if one thinks, in a free-market economy, the state can’t control employment, they will support Trump’s merit-based immigration policy. It is because of this fragmented approach that Trump is walking away victorious. Thus, only a holistic approach with eyes open to the ground reality will ensure that the President does not get away with bullshitting the American citizens and world population at large.

How Donald Trump gets by: By operating in the twilight zone between truth and falsity