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Solutions to Manage and Process Central American Migrants

The following table compares solutions the National Immigration Forum recommends to ideas proposed in federal legislation and by the President.

To open the table click here.

It compares the National Immigration Forum’s policy recommendations to address the increase of Central American migrants at the U.S. Southern Border with the following:

  • The Secure and Protect Act (S. 1494), introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R – South Carolina), would allow migrant children to be held in immigration detention for longer, amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) to allow for expedited deportations of unaccompanied migrant children (UACs) from non-contiguous countries, require asylum seekers to apply for protections at refugee processing centers in Central America and Mexico, and require U.S. authorities to hire additional immigration judges. The National Immigration Forum’s summary of the bill can be found here.
  • The United States–Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (H.R. 2615), introduced by Representatives Michael McCaul (R – Texas) and Eliot Engel (D – New Jersey), would provide irrevocable foreign aid for fiscal year (FY) 2020 to the Northern Triangle nations and direct U.S. authorities to implement measures encouraging economic growth and development, combating corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, and improving security conditions in the region.
  • The Humanitarian Upgrades to Manage and Assist our Nation’s Enforcement (HUMANE) Act of 2019 (S.1303/H.R. 2522), introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R – Texas) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D – Texas), would expand the amount of time that migrant children can remain in immigration facilities with their parents, permit expedited removals of unaccompanied migrant children coming to the U.S. from countries other than Mexico and Canada. The bill would also make it harder for individuals to apply for asylum, among other provisions. The National Immigration Forum’s summary of the bill can be found here.
  • Presidential Memorandum on Additional Measures to Enhance Border Security and Restore Integrity to Our Immigration System issued on April 29, 2019 directs the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue new regulations implementing significant policy changes to the U.S. asylum system. The National Immigration Forum’s summary of the President’s memo can be found here.

 

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Border Refugees/Asylees

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