I’m submitting my concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear & Reasonable Fear Review. I have spent the last three years working with asylum seekers in Phoenix, Arizona, after they have been released from ICE custody. I have participated in interviews of their experiences in their home countries, as well as the countries they have traveled through to get to the United States. Many of their experiences involve horrific violence, torture, the kidnapping of children and death threats for refusing to sell drugs. The most common feature of these horrible experiences was that the government couldn’t or wouldn’t do anything to protect its own citizens. 

I am very concerned by the proposal to restrict and reduce asylum protections to victims of domestic and gang-related violence. If a government won’t protect its people then the government might as well be the gang or spouse abusing its citizens. When local law enforcement is corrupt the people are not safe and rightly see asylum. 

It is critical that the decision regarding asylum is not made at the US/Mexico border by an officer who has not been trained to evaluate and investigate a credible fear. Given the allegations in the report by the Office of Inspector General (OSC File No. DI-18-5034), there is a trend toward disregarding asylum claims and violating current laws. Asylum seekers have even been turned away and instructed to go to a different port of entry and no paperwork was filed recognizing their plea for asylum. 

This proposal will increase asylum case denials before the asylum seeker gets to court. Given the high rate of court attendance, as high as 95%, it is unnecessary and punitive to deny asylum before a court appearance. 

I believe it should be our policy to allow asylum seekers due process and access to an attorney and they should not be penalized for not applying for asylum in the countries they passed through to get to the US. Traveling to our southern border by land requires travel through Mexico, well known for police & government corruption as well as ruthless drug cartels and high murder rates. It is unreasonable to expect someone to seek in asylum in another country that also can’t provide the protections their native government is not providing. 

As an immigrant American and a practicing Christian I am compelled to reach out in mercy to the stranger and to people fleeing persecution. That is the very foundation of this country and we should not shy away from our commitment and responsibility to care for the downtrodden and protect seekers of democracy and safety when their government won’t. 

For over a hundred years, our very American reputation has been defined by the “Mother of Exiles” who stands at our shore, with her “world-wide welcome” asking who she can offer shelter to. The Statue of Liberty is synonymous with welcoming immigrants and those in need of refuge from whatever foe they fear. To turn away asylum seekers at higher rates will darken her lamp and forever topple our standing as a beacon to the world.

Sincerely, Christy B.