Bob CollinsIt is not illegal to appear at the U.S. border and ask for asylum, contrary to what a fair number of politicians want Americans to believe, often with great success.
That’s the way system works. Legally.
St. Paul immigration attorney Kara Lynum headed for the border near San Diego this week to document what’s happening when people approach the Customs and Border Patrol to request asylum.
So are two members of Congress — neither of whom is from Minnesota, for the record: California Democratic Reps. Nanette Barragán and Jimmy Gomez. All of them have been live tweeting as they investigate reports that people are being turned away.
.@RepJimmyGomez also gave an update from the ground — we were left with more questions than answers. #RefugeesWelcome pic.twitter.com/AFbcmCS2Kj
— Families Belong Together (@fams2gether) December 18, 2018
— Kara Lynum (@karalynum) December 18, 2018
The kids are singing Let It Go (in Spanish) from Frozen.
These are the kids the US government is not allowing to process for asylum. @GregChenAILA @avabdc @cabrown08 @ImmCivilRights pic.twitter.com/Zxx3PH0XVW
— Kara Lynum (@karalynum) December 18, 2018
They’re trying to turn the families away. This is illegal. Under the law, you are allowed to ask for asylum on US soil. We are here. And we are staying. @cabrown08 @avabdc https://t.co/2Ktb2tPtrt
— Kara Lynum (@karalynum) December 18, 2018
To recap: for four hours a group of 15 asylum seekers have sat peacefully on US soil at The Otay Mesa port of entry. They are mostly kids but there is a family who you will remember from the famous photo of the tear gassing.
— Ava Benach (@avabdc) December 18, 2018
— Kara Lynum (@karalynum) December 18, 2018
“As we have done for several years, when our ports of entry reach capacity, we have to manage the queues and individuals presenting without documents may need to wait in Mexico as CBP officers work to process those already within our facilities,” a spokesman for the Border Patrol tells The Hill.
