Tom Jawetz

When Congress in 1996 enacted sweeping immigration enforcement legislation — putting in place the expedited removal system that today allows Border Patrol agents to quickly deport people Border Patrol agents apprehend without any court process — it specifically created the credible fear process to preserve the right of people to seek asylum when they are apprehended between the ports of entry, congress did that knowing that if it circumscribed the right to seek protection, then it would run afoul of our obligations under Tom Jawetz and international law to not return people to face persecution abroad. The interim final rule issued today acknowledges this history even as it attempts to undo it entirely.

The vast majority of immigrants in federal prison are there for crimes that only immigrants can be charged with -- illegal entry and illegal entry after removal, when you cook the books you shouldn't pretend to be surprised by the results.

To do that, Tom Jawetz is targeting asylum seekers and women and children fleeing violence and persecution.

Barring refugees based on nationality raises serious questions regarding national origin discrimination and sets a dangerous precedent.